Staff across West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust have gone on strike today.

In total, seven unions have taken industrial action in response to a national dispute about NHS pay.

The Allied Trades and Technicians, British Association of Occupational Therapists, Royal College of Midwives, Managers in Partnership, Unison and Unite unions are striking from 7am to 11am.

The Society of Radiographers are striking between 8am and 12pm.

About 30 people from the trust were on strike today.

Picket lines could be seen by the entrance to Watford General Hospital, with signs asking for fairer pay.

All seven unions also encouraged their members to take action short of a strike for various periods of time after their strike concluded.

In addition to the above unions, the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association and British Dietetic Association have asked their members to take part in action short of a strike between Tuesday, November 25, and Sunday, November 30.

Antony Tiernan, director of communications, said: "As you would expect, our overriding priority is to ensure that our services continue to run safely and that the strikes do not compromise the care we provide to our patients and their families.

"As such, we have been working closely with our unions to understand the impact the strikes might have on our hospitals.    

"We have developed robust plans for the strike and anticipate that it will be business as usual across our hospitals, i.e. we are not planning to cancel appointments or operations.

"As such, patients are asked to attend their appointments as normal.

"If we need to cancel appointments, then patients will be contacted directly."

Strike updates will be posted on the trust's website and via Twitter: @WestHertsNHS.

Patients who have questions can also contact the trust's patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 01923 217 198 or email pals@whht.nhs.uk.