NURSES, ambulance staff and midwives walked out of NHS services in Kidderminster in a row over pay.

The strike action, which took place on Monday, October 13, was the first time health workers had taken to the picket line in a row over pay in more than 30 years.

The row erupted after Government offered a 1 per cent pay rise to members of staff without automatic progression-in-the-job rises, who get about 3 per cent a year on average.

For the midwives at Kidderminster Hospital, who were offered the 1 per cent but refused to take it, it was the first time in 133 years they had taken strike action.

Karen Chapman, a Royal College of Midwives representative at Worcestershire Acute Trust, said workers just wanted a "fair deal".

"Midwives are delivering incredible productivity and standards of care yet face a real terms fall in income. We are campaigning for a modest pay rise in line with the cost of living, as in 2016 our pay will be the same as it was in 2013.

"All we are just asking for is a fair deal for NHS workers and are fighting to ensure midwives are retained for the future.

"Most midwives work at least two hours unpaid overtime per week, many work much more and this does not include the missed breaks. The NHS and maternity services across England run on the goodwill of its staff. Is it too much to ask for a modest pay rise for them?”

While health workers were striking between 7am and 11am on Monday, unions did ensure emergency calls were dealt with and nobody's safety was put at risk.

Anthony Marsh, the boss of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said he felt for his staff members were put in but made sure striking did not effect the service.

"Our staff work extremely hard in often very difficult circumstances and we have sympathy for their position.

“We appreciate taking strike action is a very difficult decision, however, we have been able to provide a good service for the most seriously ill and injured patients."

Stu Gardiner, senior steward for Unison in Worcestershire, said although more than a third of Worcestershire's NHS staff walked out in the strikes, no one had sat down with them to discuss the pay rises.

"Nothing has happened as a result of the strike action as of yet. We haven't sat down to discuss further pay rises but we will," he said.

The action was supported by many members of the public, including Jane Geden-Lawley who said: "These people are worth there waiting gold. What would we do without them."

Natalie McVey added: "Protecting our public services and investing in the staff that work in them is vitally important."

However there were those on the other side of the fence.

Mat Amphlett did not agree with the strikes because he has faced a similar situation in his private paying job.

He said: "I haven't received a pay rise in four years the same as many others."

Action short of strikes will continue until the end of the week with staff refusing to work overtime and insisting on taking their breaks. Those in need of emergency assistance are asked to consider dialling 111 in the first instance and only use the 999 service if a situation is life-threatening.

More strike action is expected to take place in November.