Doctors on the Isle of Man are to ballot for industrial action, the BMA has announced. Just like thousands of consultants and resident doctors in the UK, the majority of doctors working on the Isle of Man have experienced real terms pay cuts since 2008 - some by as much as 19%. This will be the first time that doctors on the Isle of Man have been balloted for industrial action.
Isle of Man doctors who are employed by Manx Care - the healthcare system operated by the Isle of Man Government - are asking for a 12.6% uplift in pay for the 23/24 pay year.
Since 2008, inflation on the island has increased by 56.3% while the maximum consultant’s salary increased by just 27.3% over the same period. While scores of other doctors across the UK have successfully negotiated pay deals, doctors on the Isle of Man risk being left behind, as they are not eligible for the pay increases that other consultants, residents and SAS doctors have achieved.
This is because although there is a reciprocal agreement with the NHS in terms of patient care, the Island is self-governing. This has led to most Isle of Man pay scales being significantly less than those of colleagues in the UK. This is compounded by the lack of access to local clinical excellence awards (CEAs). The CEA scheme is an incentive programme which allows NHS consultants to earn extra money on top of their salary for outstanding work or research. Isle of Man doctors have not had access to the scheme since 2004.
Chair of the Isle of Man Medical Society, Dr Prakash Thiagarajan said: “No doctor wants to go on strike, but we’ve been trying to improve working conditions for doctors on the Isle of Man by other means for years, to no avail. Doctors on the Isle of Man deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do. Manx Care can still stop this from going any further by addressing the severe real terms pay cuts that Isle of Man doctors have endured.”
The BMA will announce the dates of the ballot in the next few weeks. If there is a majority vote, then doctors will be eligible to take industrial action. 155 doctors will be able to vote in the ballot, including residents, consultants, SAS doctors and salaried GPs. These make up nearly all the doctors on the Island. A small group of doctors - specialty trainee doctors who work on the island but are employed by the North-West lead employer, and partner GPs will not be eligible.
Chair of council of the BMA, Professor Phil Banfield said: “I’ve heard from doctors on the Isle of Man how deeply frustrated they are. They are over stretched and underpaid. Resident, consultant and SAS doctors across the UK have successfully taken action and started the journey to restoring the relative lost value of their pay for the work they do. Doctors on the Isle of Man deserve the same. The BMA stands ready to support Manx doctors in fighting for appropriate recognition of their skills and expertise.”
Notes to editors
Earlier this month survey results from the ‘Barometer of Care’ report revealed deep dissatisfaction among doctors, highlighting a crisis in workplace culture, management and resources. Following the results of the survey Manx Care announced on Thursday 10 October that they will be implementing an additional £5 million worth of saving schemes to bring overspend down to £8 million this year. Savings will be made by cutting spending in areas across their service.
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.
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