NHS Scotland strikes a 'last resort' as staff 'can't afford to feed their families'

A trade union leader has said "nobody wants the consequences" of a strike by NHS Scotland staff as members consider industrial action.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, has said a strike by NHS workers in Scotland remains a "last resort" and called on the Scottish Government to make a "decent" pay offer.

Unite is one of five unions balloting members on industrial action. The others are Unison, GMB, the Royal College of Nursing and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said he is "disappointed" that unions voted to reject a record five per cent pay offer put forward by the Scottish Government, stating: "We are re-engaging with trade unions in the hope of reaching a satisfactory outcome."

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Graham said: "Strikes are a last resort, but obviously I will back my members where they want to take that action."

On the potential impact on service, Graham said members "don't want the consequences" of delayed services and cancelled appointments. She stated: "It's not very often you see people in the NHS going out on strike. That is the reality, it's a huge thing for them to do. But on the other side of that argument, you've got people with families, you've got people who can't feed their families."