The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is bracing itself for two days of strike action by hospital doctors next month.
Speaking at a meeting of the Trust board, at Antrim Hospital, on Thursday, interim chief executive Suzanne Pullins advised members she has been notified by the British Medical Association of anticipated industrial action on November 20 and 23.
Resident doctors will take part in a 24-hour walk-out from 7am on 20 November until 7am on 21 November, with consultants, specialist, associate specialist and speciality grade doctors expected to provide only ‘Christmas Day cover’ as part of 24-hour action scheduled from 7am, on 23 November until 7am, on 24 November.
BMA Northern Ireland says the announcement of strike dates follows efforts to engage with Health Minister Robbie Butler over “finding a way forward on resolving stagnating pay amid increasing demand on Northern Ireland’s health service”.
It has warned action could further escalate unless “meaningful progress on restoring pay” is made. ‘Christmas Day cover’ will ensure that urgent and emergency care would continue to be provided.
BMA Northern Ireland specialist, associate specialist and speciality doctors committee chair Clodagh Corrigan said: “We have been clear: to avoid further industrial action, we need a credible offer from government that makes meaningful progress towards full pay restoration.
“We met with the new health minister recently, hopeful that we could begin fresh discussions on agreeing a credible pay offer. Regrettably, this did not happen.
‘The minister was also unable to confirm if the minimum annual pay uplift for 2026/27 – one that has already been paid to doctors elsewhere in the UK – would be paid this side of Christmas, or indeed at all. We were informed that the decision ultimately lay with the Executive.”
In a statement, Health Minister Robbie Butler said: “I understand the frustration felt by the BMA, nurses and other HSC staff. They have waited too long for clarity on this year’s pay award, and I recognise why they are planning strike action.
“I remain committed to implementing this year’s pay award as recommended by the independent Doctors’ and Dentists’ Pay Review Body (DDRB) but unfortunately, I am currently unable to do so in the absence of a sufficient budget being agreed for my department.
“When similar strike action took place over two 24-hour periods in June, over 2,200 appointments were cancelled across the system, so the prospect of industrial action during the winter period will have real consequences for patients, waiting lists and service delivery.
“I am very grateful to those who recognise the impacts strike action will have on our population during the winter months, and for their commitment to provide continuity of service.
“The uplift recommended by the Review Body for 26/27 is 3.5%, which is higher than that for other healthcare professionals working in Health and Social Care (HSC). It comes on top of an average cumulative pay uplifts over the last three years of 30% for resident doctors, 25% for Speciality, Associate Specialist, and Specialist doctors (SAS doctors) and 24% for consultants.
“I recently met with the BMA and outlined the financial constraints facing my department and my intention to progress the pay award as soon as Executive approval is agreed.
“While the BMA has made clear that even the increase of 3.5% will not satisfy their demands, to go beyond the 3.5% as recommended by the independent pay review recommendation would have significant repercussions for nurses, teachers, police officers and indeed the entire public sector workforce.
“I continue to press my Executive colleagues for a swift decision on this issue and will engage with the BMA to seek a resolution to the ongoing dispute driving this action.
“I reiterate my commitment to ensuring all HSC colleagues receive their recommended 26/27 pay uplifts, despite the unprecedented shortfall in my draft budget. I value the workforce above our buildings, beds, equipment and medicines. However, there is no scope for pay awards beyond the recommendations of the review bodies in 26/27.
“Finally, I want to pay a particular tribute to the many doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and exceptional support staff who will continue to deliver care and see patients throughout the two days of planned industrial action.”
David Farren BMA’s Northern Ireland consultants’ committee chair, said failure to address pay erosion is impacting patients and the health service.
Dr Farren warned lower pay rates made it “harder to recruit staff while also driving existing workforce members into retirement or reduced hours, fuelling a staffing crisis at a time when the demand on the health service in Northern Ireland was greater than ever”.
He said: “Pay is central to recruitment and retention of doctors and hinders the delivery of a sustainable and safe health service.”
‘There is palpable anger among our members at continuing sub-inflationary, late pay awards while we work beyond capacity in under-supported services. This annual uncertainty over when we will actually receive our pay award reinforces the widespread feeling that we are not valued and leads to doctors seeking better paid roles elsewhere.
BMA Northern Ireland resident doctors’ committee chair Steven Montgomery stated action was a “last resort” but one doctors were ultimately prepared to take if necessary.
“Doctors do not take strike action lightly but again, we have been left with no choice but to stand up for ourselves, our patients and the future of our profession in Northern Ireland.
“If the health minister is serious about transforming the health service, addressing our waiting list crisis and meeting growing patient demand, then he needs to value doctors by paying us fairly for what we do.
“We would again call on the health minister to step in and resolve this dispute with a credible offer to avoid more strikes over the festive period and into next year.”
