A STRIKE planned by health workers was called off at the 11th hour after unions were offered a pay deal for low earning staff.

More than 250,000 of the lowest paid in the NHS will be offered a rise from between 2.2 and 5.6 per cent, with concessions also offered for ambulance staff, under the proposals.

Unison has stressed that while it was not a “great offer” it addressed key concerns about low pay within the NHS.

The new deal came after lengthy talks between unions and the government.

A spokesman for Unison North West said: “There is an offer which has been made which is better than it was initially but still not what we believe health workers should be getting.

“The proposals will favour the lowest paid members of staff in the NHS.

“We are putting the offer to our members and await their decision.”

If proposals are not accepted by union members, industrial action will be rescheduled.

Unison head of health and the unions' lead negotiator, Christina McAnea said: "The two strike days staged by health workers last year have moved the government to negotiate with the unions.

“The proposals deliver pay rises of between 2.2 and 5.6 per cent for more than 250,000 of the lowest paid in the NHS. We also got additional concessions for ambulance staff.

"While this isn't a great offer, it addresses some of the key concerns unions have about low pay in the NHS. In the interest of patients' safety, unions will now consult members.

"It will be up to members to decide whether to accept or reject the proposals. If they choose to reject them we will move to further industrial action."

Bolton members of GMB, the union for ambulance staff, were due to strike for 24 hours today, while other NHS staff from Unison and Unite unions were set to stage a 12-hour walkout.

Royal Bolton Hospital had postponed a number of orthopaedic appointments in anticipation of the strike and had been expecting a reduced number of outpatient clinics in ophthalmology.

However, appointments for emergency scans for pregnant women were still due to go ahead while an additional clinic was being put on at the weekend for some other antenatal scans.

Contingency plans had been put into place for services such as heating engineers, electricians and other estates staff.