UNION leaders have said they will do what they can to ensure patients are not disrupted by a strike by health workers later this month.

On Wednesday, it was announced that members of the GMB would be joining workers from Unite, Unison and the Royal College of Midwives in a four-hour walk-out on October 13.

Workers across many NHS departments are likely to be affected in the dispute over pay.

Midwives, ambulance staff, nurses and porters who are in the unions could all be walking out.

It is the first strike by health workers for 32 years, as the unions try to secure bigger pay increases for their members.

Andy Newman, who is the branch secretary for Wiltshire and Swindon GMB, said the union was open to talks with the Great Western Hospital on how best to handle the action.

He said: “The message we would give to the public is that the aim is not to disrupt them but send a message to the government. Health service workers have seen their pay held back for a number of years and the government talk about holding it back for four more years.

“Many of our members are struggling to make ends meet. The majority of people in the health service are dedicated to helping others and no one wants to take action but people need to be able to put food on the table.

“The government have spoken about tax cuts for the wealthiest so if they can do that then they can give health workers a pay rise.

“I can’t speak for the other unions but the GMB are happy to speak with the GWH so disruption to patients can be kept to a minimum.”

The strike action will be followed by a period of work-to-rule, where staff will only carry out their contracted hours.

An independent pay review for the NHS said there should be a pay rise for everyone, but the government have only offered one per cent to those who do not get automatic progression-in-the-job rises.

Oonagh Fitzgerald, director of workforce and education at GWH NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our priority is to ensure we maintain patient services and continue to provide safe and high quality care.

“Although this national dispute is with the government, it is likely that some of our staff, as union members, may take part. We have plans in place to ensure any disruption to patients is kept to a minimum and when we have clearer information next week we will plan our services accordingly.

“Any patients whose appointments are affected will be contacted at the earliest opportunity.

“The strike action will not affect patients who need emergency treatment.”