Health workers take to picket lines across Northern Ireland
They're calling for better pay and conditions
Last updated 21st Sep 2023
As thousands of health workers across Northern Ireland take to the picket lines to demand better pay and working conditions, the ambulance service is warning to only call in a life-threatening emergency.
With paramedics, nurses, and pharmacists among those involved the Department of Health is also warning to expect "significant disruption to services".
Unions involved in the action taking place on Thursday and Friday include Unite the Union, Unison, NIPSA, The Society of Radiographers, and the Royal College of Midwives.
Some unions will strike across both days, and others for a shorter period.
Civil servants from NIPSA will also join in on the action on Friday.
The Society of Radiographers Union representative, Dr Christina Smith treats between 25 to 30 cancer patients a day and has told us patient health won't be compromised during industrial action.
She said, “We have put provisions in place to make sure there is no detriment to anyone’s treatment pathway. Appointments have been rescheduled.”
“We obviously wouldn’t be striking and not treating them if it was going to have a severe impact. All patients will continue to complete their course of treatment.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health said, “Intensive work will continue this week with the aim of mitigating impacts on the public where possible, but some reductions in service are inevitable.”
“Information on impacts from industrial action will be provided on HSC Trust websites this week.”
“The Department understands the deep-seated frustration over the ongoing absence of a pay offer for this year but very much regrets that colleagues have decided this industrial action is required.”
“In setting out the implications of the budget it received for 2023/24, the Department said in May that it was facing an “impossible position” and that decisions are required that are not in the best interests of the health and social care system.”
“That remains the case today. As has been previously stated, the current budgetary constraints mean that matching the English pay offer for Agenda for Change health and social care staff would require large scale cuts on an unprecedented scale, with severe and lasting implications for services. That would be outside the scope of our decision making powers.”
“The Department continues to look for ways to address the pay challenge.”