Northern Ireland Hospital Doctors Vote for Strike Over Pay Dispute

Hospital doctors in Northern Ireland have voted to strike over pay after rejecting a 3.5% uplift. Two 24-hour walkouts are planned for 25 and 29 June, affecting planned procedures but not emergency care. BMA urges urgent talks with the health minister.

Hospital Doctors Vote for Industrial Action

Hospital doctors in Northern Ireland have voted in favour of planned industrial action following a pay dispute. The British Medical Association (BMA) conducted a ballot over a four-week period after doctors' leaders rejected a recommended 3.5% pay increase proposed by an independent pay body.

Details of the Planned Strikes

Two separate 24-hour walkouts are scheduled to take place on Thursday 25 June and Monday 29 June. While emergency and critical care services will remain operational, planned operations and procedures are expected to be postponed, potentially causing a knock-on effect for other patients.

Ballot Results and Ongoing Votes

The ballot included resident doctors and consultants, with 92% of resident doctors voting in favour of strike action and 79% of consultants supporting it. The results of the ballot for SAS doctors (specialist, associate specialist, and specialty doctors) are expected to be announced on Friday 12 June.

BMA Calls for Urgent Engagement

BMA Northern Ireland has renewed its calls for the health minister to urgently engage with the organisation and prevent strikes by presenting a credible pay offer.