A SECOND group of National Health Service staff walked out on strike yesterday — and for many it was the first time in their lives.

Across Britain, members of the Society of Radiographers walked out for four hours at 9am and will work to rule for the rest of the week.

The radiographers, who carry out vital X-ray work, joined midwives as first-time strikers to display their anger at the coalition government’s rejection of even the pitiful 1 per cent pay rise given to some NHS workers.

This was the society’s first strike over pay for 30 years, but it warned of further walkouts if the dispute was not resolved.

Pickets were in action outside hospitals across the country.

Outside St Thomas’s Hospital, opposite Parliament, dozens of radiographers chanted: “What do we want? A pay rise! When do we want it? Now!”

Society president-elect Sheila Hassan and St Thomas’s worker said she had been amazed at the level of support from the public for the strike.

“Radiographers’ pay has been cut by 15 per cent in real terms since 2010 and other terms and conditions have worsened while our workload has increased,” she said.

“People have just had enough. There is also a feeling of disgust that the MPs have accepted a huge recommended pay rise for themselves, but ours is rejected. It’s just not fair.”

Ohe Amoah-Kusi, who qualified two years ago, never thought he would go on strike.

“Everyone works really hard in the NHS and care for our patients, so we don’t think it is fair for the government to deny us a pay rise,” he said.

“One of my concerns is that the government will do this again to us in future years unless we make a stand now.”

The radiographers continued to provide emergency and urgent care.

“This is the first time since 1982 that radiographers have gone on strike over pay and there is the possibility of more action in the future,” said society chief executive officer Richard Evans.

“The anger that they and other NHS workers feel is very strong.”