SECURITY staff at a Southampton hospital could strike over fears for their safety.

Union chiefs say security staff Southampton General Hospital are being subjected to "regular attacks" by drunk and drugged-up patients.

And they claim staff lack the proper corrective equipment to deal with such attacks.

Now Unite say its members, who are employed by Mitie Security Ltd, are holding a ballot over possible industrial action.

The action is over both pay and conditions.

Unite lead officer for health in the south east, Scott Kemp, said: “With cuts to the police force and mental health services, there is a tendency for those suffering from various conditions to be dropped off at the hospital and left to the security guards.

“The guards report incidents that have occurred on every shift, but the bosses at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Mitie Security will only investigate when someone is injured.

"Our argument is that we should not have to wait for someone to get injured before a full investigation is instigated.

“Our members are very concerned over incidents occurring right across the Tremona Road site when there has been little or no support from the police who are under pressure because of government cuts."

Alongside extra security equipment, union chiefs are calling for any increase in pay and changes to the current sick pay structure.

Unite say staff are currently paid two weeks' full pay, followed by two weeks' half pay and then statutory sick pay, when off sick or injured.

Union chiefs are now demanding six months' fully-pay, followed by six months' half pay.

They also want an increase in hourly pay, from £8.64 an hour to £10.50 an hour for security officers, and £12.16 an hour for supervisors.

The pay demand includes an additional payments of 50p per hour on night rates; £1 an hour on Saturday and double time on Sunday.

Mr Kemp said the demands were "not unreasonable".

He Kemp added: “Our members are at the forefront of providing security and a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors - that’s why Mitie’s management needs to get around the table and negotiate constructively.

“There is now a good window of opportunity for such talks before the ballot for strike action closes on 15 March.”

The Echo has contacted both Mitie Security and University Hospital Southampton for comment.

A spokesperson for Mitie Security said: “We take the safety of our staff very seriously and are piloting the wearing of safety gear on site.

"We are meeting with Unite and ACAS later this month to discuss their proposals.”