Cleaning and catering staff at Lewisham hospital returned to work this week to aid the hospital's fight against the coronavirus outbreak, but still haven't been paid a week after walking out.

Efforts to sort out their missing pay has been slow, and the GMB union have called the action's of the contractor in charge of the wages "incredible" given that the workers are vital to the running of the hospital.

Last week, cleaning, portering and catering staff at University Hospital Lewisham walked out after Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust's private contractor, ISS, failed to pay staff.

ISS issued a statement apologising for the error, which occurred due to an administrative error, but said the issue had not affected the service its provides at the hospital.

"Loyal" staff returned to work at the start of the week to help with the running of the hospital as the strain of the Covid-19 outbreak continues to worsen.

But Helen O'Connor, GMB organiser, said that the issue was ongoing, with a few workers being paid, some being emergency taxed and some staff still not being paid at all.

On Friday she stressed that its members were in "dire financial straits" and accused ISS of dragging its heels and offering the loyal workers "threats and broken promises."

“This Government has promised hospitals will have everything they need to deal with coronavirus - but Lewisham Hospital will not even have cleaners if this pay fiasco continues. It must be a fundamental right to be paid for the work you do."

The GMB also said that cleaning staff at neighbouring hospital Queen Elizabeth were worried over a lack of personal protective equipment being provided.

Some have announced that are going home because they believe the risks of working in a hospital are too high and the pay is too low.

Ms O'Connor added: "We are in the middle of a national emergency and the way our hospital workers are treated is now coming into sharp focus."

Referencing years of cuts and privatisation, she said the way the ISS is treating its Lewisham and Greenwich workforce is "as unacceptable as it is dangerous."

"This is why GMB UNION is calling for all hospital services to be brought back under the control of the NHS as a matter of urgency."