HOSPITAL bosses are assuring patients it is business as usual at Fairfield Hospital next week, with staff set to walk out in a protest over pay.

Members of Unison will stage a four-hour strike between 7am and 11am on Monday after a nationwide ballot.

Patients due to attend Fairfield are being advised to attend surgery or out-patient appointments as normal unless they are contacted directly.

A spokesman said Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which also runs North Manchester General Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary, is working closely with staff to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

If any appointments or routine outpatient clinics have to be postponed or changed, patients will be informed. Accident & Emergency departments will run as normal.

Staff will also stage a protest between October 14 to 17, by taking their assigned breaks instead of working through them.

Hugh Mullen, Director of operations at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We do not plan to cancel any patient appointments on Monday.

“In the event of any industrial action and staff shortage, we have robust contingency plans in place to ensure quality of patient care and patient safety is not compromised.

“Early indications suggest we will be able to provide most services as normal across all of our hospitals.”

Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said the union is working with the NHS to minimise the impact of the strike on patients.

He said: “NHS members don’t take action often or lightly. For many of our members this will be the first time they walk out as the last action over pay was 32 years ago.

“The NHS runs on the goodwill of its workers, but this Government has shown utter contempt for them.”

Unite, Ucatt, GMB and the Royal College of Midwives members have also balloted for industrial action.