More than 1,500 health workers who were set to miss out on an NHS pay bonus have been told they will receive a raise.

Staff from Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) were told earlier this month they would not be getting part of the government pay award, even though they are on the same contracts as NHS staff.

MCH runs 31 clinics around the Towns – including in Hoo, Rainham and Lordswood – every week and treat 10,000 patients a month.

The service is seen as part of the wider family of the NHS but is classed as a social enterprise rather than directly a part of it.

Its workers battled through the pandemic like frontline hospital staff to treat people and previously described the decision not to include them in the pay increase as “disgraceful”.

Speaking earlier this month, phlebotomy clinical lead Samantha Pearce said: “It is a kick in the teeth. We worked continuously and tirelessly through the pandemic, putting ourselves and our families at risk.

“While other places were forced to close, we stayed open. We have NHS emails, NHS guidelines and we are monitored by the CQC but we are not seen as equal.”

Staff were told today they would be receiving the 5% pay rise, backdated to April 1, and the non-consolidated payment part of the award, but it would be funded by MCH itself as opposed to external funding.

A letter sent to staff and shared with KentOnline, said: “Following our original communication on May 15 regarding the Agenda for Change pay award; we are pleased to let you know that you will receive the pay award in full.

“This has been a challenging decision for the board to make, as we have chosen to pay the award even though we have not secured the funding from external sources.

“Whether you deserve this award or not has never been in question as we recognise all of your continued hard work, and ultimately this is the basis for our decision.

“As we are now paying this award ‘at risk’ it means that this will be a tough financial year ahead and we will require a robust financial recovery plan to be put in place.”

It asked staff to continue to lobby MPs and campaign for its cause as it still attempts to secure the external funding.

Deputy leader of Medway Council and portfolio holder for health and adult services, Cllr Teresa Murray, has also joined its campaign.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Stephen Barclay MP, she said if MCH is “forced to try and fund” the bonus it would “imperil their ability to maintain a balanced budget and operate services going forward”.

She added: “This situation has created a serious issue of pay inequality because staff at MCH are part of the NHS family and work together with NHS colleagues across a wide variety of critical services such as community care, rehabilitation, mental health support, drug and alcohol recovery, dentistry and GP services.

“Very often the social enterprise teams work alongside their NHS colleagues and the failure to fund the bonus will mean that colleagues working together daily will now not enjoy the same reward.

“Staff at MCH are greatly valued by our community, they were there for them during the pandemic and continue to provide services crucial to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our community.

“I am asking you to recognise the unfairness of the settlement funding arrangements and act quickly to ensure that MCH and other NHS social enterprises receive sufficient funds to restore equality with other NHS staff and pay the non-consolidated bonus.”