STRIKE action by radiographers did affect services at Basingstoke hospital yesterday, the chief executive has confirmed.

Mary Edwards said some X-ray and scanning services were affected by the national industrial action, which saw radiographers walk out between 9am and 1pm, and work to rule for the rest of this week.

She said: “We worked closely with the unions and staff to make sure there was minimal impact on patients. No emergency services were affected. Elective (planned) services and outpatient radiography services experienced some impact. There were no cancellations on the day as appointments were rescheduled and staff reallocated to minimise the impact.

“Our staff are committed to ensuring our patients are safe at all times and would not do anything that places patients at risk.”

The strike was regarding a pay freeze after the Government rejected a recommended one per cent pay rise for the current year.

Richard Evans, SoR's chief executive officer, said: “There is the possibility of more action by radiographers in the future. The anger that they and other health professionals feel is very strong.”