Further nursing strikes are taking place this week in the ongoing dispute over pay.

Some 350 nursing assistants employed by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are striking for 72 hours starting from today.

Public service union Unison said hopes are rising that there may be a resolution to the dispute following a meeting with trust managers at conciliation service Acas last week.

Nursing assistants employed by the trust took strike action last month.

The dispute is over regrading to a higher NHS salary band and back pay to compensate for when wages have not reflected the more complex nature of their work.

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Unison said the health workers have been carrying out duties above their pay grade for many years, which senior managers acknowledge.

It said health workers still have not received a satisfactory offer on back pay.

Unison South East regional organiser Rachel Slaughter said: “Last week saw a step in the right direction with talks at Acas. For the first time in this dispute, hospital managers are showing a willingness to find a resolution.

“Nursing assistants can be proud of what they’ve achieved so far. There’s been a genuine acknowledgement from their bosses that they’ve been carrying out duties above their grade for years and that the issue needs to be sorted as soon as possible.

“Now that just needs to be that reflected with an offer on back pay. Nobody wants to see a prolonged industrial dispute.”