Sections of the maternity unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital are set to close as union members go on strike on Monday (October 13).

Members at the Hinchingbrooke Health Branch of Unison voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to take industrial action over pay for the first time since 1982.

The strike is part of national action by Unison across the NHS and comes after health workers were offered a one per cent pay rise following a three year pay freeze and below inflation pay deal.

Jo Rust, regional organiser for Unison, said: “Staff have been increasingly concerned about the problems faced by Hinchingbrooke working in parternship with a private sector company. More and more cracks are appearing, with an attempt by some to impose Circle dominated materials onto staff. This pay offer, which fails to recognise the huge personal price that NHS workers pay to support the NHS is a slap in the face. Staff at Hinchingbrooke and everywhere within the NHS deserve better and the patients agree.”

Action will take place between 7-11am opposite the main entrance of the hospital which has been run by private firm Circle since 2012.

A spokesman for Circle said: “As far as we know, it’s not going to cause too much disruption. It’s only a relatively small number of midwives up until 11am. Two areas of the maternity department will be shut and the main labour ward will remain open.”