New pay offer accepted by Northern Ireland's senior doctors

Senior doctors in Northern Ireland have voted to accept a pay offer.

94 % of consultants voted to accept a 5.2% average additional uplift.

Planned strike action was suspended after an offer was put on the table.

Of those balloted, 94.3% of consultants voted to accept a 5.26% average additional uplift, which will be backdated to March 2024.

There was a turnout of 75% for the ballot.

Dr David Farren, chair of NICC, said: “Consultants in Northern Ireland clearly feel that this offer from government is a positive first step towards full pay restoration.

“Consultants bear ultimate responsibility for patient care, they are key to addressing the waiting list crisis and lead on training doctors and clinical innovation, yet in Northern Ireland their pay did not reflect this level of responsibility. This deal begins the process of making our pay more attractive and competitive with our UK counterparts which is critical at a time of chronic workforce shortages here.”

He added that the body - whilst happy there has been a resolution - are less so that it has taken so long.

"The pay offer also includes a revised consultant pay scale with uplifts at all pay points, the highest percentage uplift in the UK this year, and the highest consultant starting salary in the UK. This uplift is also in addition to the 6% already awarded as part of the 2023/24 DDRB pay review process and is entirely separate to any subsequent pay award for 2024/25.

“While we are glad to have resolved this particular pay dispute, it is regrettable that it took other UK nations reaching pay deals and an overwhelming yes vote for strike action before DoH made a credible offer to open pay negotiations,” continued Dr Farren.

“It should never have reached that point. Valuing the skills of our workforce and ultimately protecting patient care was at the core of this dispute.

"The Department must now demonstrate that it values doctors by continuing to work with us on reversing years of below inflation pay awards and to improve our terms and conditions. "That includes timely and prompt payment of this pay award and all future pay body recommended uplifts.”