THE Royal Bolton Hospital will be hit by strike action when staff walk out in a row over pay.

Members of Unison announced that its members will strike for four hours on Monday, October 13, followed by four days of other forms of industrial action.

Unions across the UK are in a dispute over the government’s refusal to give NHS workers a one per cent pay rise.

Nurses, midwives, porters and occupational therapists will go on strike from 7am until 11am on the Monday — which is often one of the busiest periods of the week for A&E.

Hospital chiefs are now making plans for the walk out, which could also include ambulance workers.

Andy Ennis, chief operating officer at the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We need to remember this could affect North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) too, which will affect us in terms of patient transfers and the flow through hospital.

“We will go through the correct procedures to make sure this does not reduce any services. The four hour window is always a busy catchment for us after the weekend.”

Mark Wilkinson, director of strategic and organisational development, added: “We need to engage sensitively with staff to find out what their plans are.”

Several unions have balloted health workers for industrial action, with more expected to join in on October 13.

Unison members voted by 68 per cent for strikes and 88 per cent for action short of strike action in a ballot.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, 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.

“We are working with NHS employers to minimise the impact on patients. But it's not too late for Jeremy Hunt to act to avoid this and we repeat our offer to the government to negotiate with us, despite him refusing to meet with health unions about pay.”