NHS Supply Drivers Set to Strike Over Pay as Hospitals Brace for Potential Disruption

Drivers responsible for delivering essential medical supplies to hospitals across England are set to stage a series of strikes after rejecting a pay offer from logistics company GXO.

The industrial action, announced by Unite, will involve drivers working at several NHS supply chain depots and is scheduled to take place over five separate periods between October and November.

Walkouts Planned Across Multiple Regions

According to Unite, drivers will strike from 13 to 15 October, followed by further walkouts on 20 to 22 October, 27 to 29 October, 3 to 5 November and 10 to 12 November.

The affected workers are employed by GXO and are based across areas including Tyne and Wear, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Warwickshire and Suffolk.

The union said its members rejected a 4% pay increase put forward by GXO.

Medical Supplies Could Be Affected

The drivers play an important role in the NHS supply network, transporting general medical equipment used by hospitals throughout England.

Their deliveries include essential items such as bandages, dressings, gowns, gloves and needles.

The planned action has therefore raised concerns about potential disruption to the movement of supplies, although the organisations involved say measures are being prepared to limit the impact on healthcare services.

Unite Calls for Better Pay Offer

Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said there was still an opportunity to prevent the strikes if GXO could produce an offer acceptable to the drivers.

Silkstone described the workers as dedicated employees and accused GXO of failing to make what the union considers a reasonable pay proposal.

He said the dispute could still be resolved through negotiations before the planned industrial action begins.

GXO Defends 4% Offer

GXO confirmed that it was aware Unite members had voted in favour of strike action and maintained that the proposed 4% pay increase was fair.

The company also stressed that protecting patient care remained its priority.

A GXO spokesperson said the company was focused on maintaining a safe and effective operation throughout the period of potential industrial action.

NHS Supply Chain Plans for Disruption

NHS Supply Chain and GXO said they had robust contingency plans designed to minimise any disruption caused by the strikes.

NHS Supply Chain operates the relevant contract through Supply Chain Coordination Limited, which is wholly owned by NHS England.

The organisations have not indicated that the planned walkouts will halt hospital supply operations, but preparations are being made ahead of the scheduled strike dates.

Seven Depots Set to Be Affected

Strike action is expected at seven depots across England.

The locations are Alfreton in Derbyshire, Bridgwater in Somerset, Normanton in West Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent, Rugby in Warwickshire, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Washington in Tyne and Wear.

The geographical spread of the depots means the dispute could affect the NHS supply network across several parts of the country.

Pay Dispute Leaves Door Open for Talks

While the strike dates have been announced, Unite has indicated that industrial action could still be avoided if an agreement is reached.

The dispute places pressure on GXO and the union to find common ground before the first three-day walkout begins on 13 October.

For hospitals and healthcare workers, the focus will remain on whether contingency arrangements can ensure essential supplies continue reaching NHS facilities if the planned strikes go ahead.