Royal Berkshire Hospital strike action postponed

Laboratory staff at Royal Berkshire Hospital have postponed strike action over a new shift pattern.

Unite members at the hospital's pathology department had planned to cease testing blood samples sent by local GPs and private hospitals.

Staff have postponed action for two weeks after the hospital's NHS trust agreed to discuss concerns over reduced staffing levels and night-time shifts.

The hospital's trust said discussions with staff were continuing.

Unite regional officer Debbie Watson said members were carefully considering a deal with the trust's management.

"We are hopeful that the fine detail can be ironed out in the next couple of weeks between our members and the management," she said.

The dispute started in March when the new working pattern was introduced.