MANAGERS had to take bodies into a hospital mortuary yesterday after a one-day strike by porters and other staff.

During the first NHS hospital strike in the region for years managers, office workers and relatives took over portering duties at the worst-affected site.

It was at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, where the strike by about 600 members of health union Unison had the biggest impact.

Because the Freeman has the highest proportion of Unison members among ancillary workers, other members of staff, including doctors and nurses, volunteered to help transport patients.

Unison said it had done all it could to ensure patient care was not affected.

Despite the strike, which included picket lines at several hospitals in the city, management insisted it was business as usual.

Len Fenwick, chief executive at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We have not had any cancellations. We have met all of our commitments."

Unison members voted for strike action and an overtime ban after the collapse of talks with the hospital trust, which also includes the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle General Hospital and Walkergate Hospital.

Ancillary workers, including porters, cleaners, domestics and caterers, are involved in a wrangle with management over parts of a national agreement.

Unison has said the Agenda for Change pay and conditions package means that long-serving workers are being paid less than new recruits.

Trust officials have denied the claim and insist they cannot stray from the national agreement.

Liz Twist, Unison's regional head of health, said members would meet later this week to decide whether any further industrial action would be taken.