ANGRY NHS staff in Southampton made their feelings about the government's cost of living allowance clear at protests outside city hospitals.

Around 50 staff took part in the protest, organised by Unison Southampton Health Branch, outside Southampton General Hospital, and more voiced their concerns at the Royal South Hampshire Hospital.

The protests, which did not include strike action, were to highlight the growing concern among NHS staff about the payment of a regional cost of living allowance, which is only handed out in certain professions.

The 2.5 per cent allowance is only handed out to selected groups of trained nurses and health professionals. Nursing assistants, theatre staff and ancillary workers are among those who do not receive it.

Geoff Scott, chairman of Unison Southampton Health Branch, made it clear that the protests were directed at the government and not at local NHS trusts. He said the way the cost of living allowance is handed out means that if two staff members are working on the same ward, it may only be that one of them receives the allowance.

Mr Scott added: "We've even got examples where they live in the same house, they are partners, and only one of them receives the allowance.

"We don't mind these people getting it - far from it - but the fact is that the cost of living allowance should be the same for everybody."

Kevin Jenner, 42, is a porter at Southampton General Hospital. He does not receive the allowance, but his wife, a senior trained nurse at the hospital, does.

Mr Jenner said: "I'm angry at the system but it's just the unfairness of it all, really. We are finding there's a lot of staff who do get it who are supporting us. It's 2.5 per cent. We all think it's necessary. We've had no reason from the government why - we are just forgotten. All they seem to care about is nurses.

"We've got no problem with people getting it. If it's good for one, it's good for the other - that's all we are saying."