Specialist Doctors to Join Strike Over Pay Dispute
Specialist, associate specialist, and speciality grade (SAS) doctors in Northern Ireland have announced plans to strike amid a dispute regarding pay. This decision follows consultant and resident doctors who voted in favor of industrial action earlier this week.
Two separate 24-hour strikes are scheduled for 25 June and 29 June after a proposed 3.5% pay increase was rejected.
The British Medical Association (BMA) reported that 90% of SAS doctors voted in favor of strike action.
Dr Leanne Davison, chair of the BMA's Northern Ireland SAS committee (NISASC), emphasized the gravity of the decision.
"The doctors do not take the decision to strike lightly," she said.
Dr Davison explained that the vote reflects the strong sentiment among the workforce regarding pay erosion, noting that doctors have experienced a steady decline in pay since 2008.
"This clear 'yes' vote shows that we have reached a tipping point. SAS doctors are prepared to stand up for the future of the medical workforce and the care we provide to patients," she added.
She also stated that strike action remains avoidable if the government presents a meaningful and credible offer that significantly addresses pay restoration.
"Strike action is still avoidable. It is now up to the government to come forward with a meaningful and credible offer that makes real progress towards pay restoration," Davison said.
Dr Clodagh Corrigan, deputy chair of the committee, highlighted the comparative pay situation for doctors in Northern Ireland.
"Doctors in Northern Ireland are the lowest paid of all of the hospital doctors in the UK and the Republic of Ireland," she said.
Dr Corrigan warned that the ongoing pay issues are causing a loss of medical staff and talent, which threatens the ability to provide healthcare services.
"It's reached a stage where we are now losing our medical staff, we're haemorrhaging our talent and we can't provide service. If we continue in this way, we won't have a service to provide."
