BMA’s Northern Ireland consultants committee (NICC) has accepted a pay offer from the Department of Health (DoH) after members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the deal, putting to an end one of three pay disputes involving doctors working in secondary care*. 

In a three-week referendum that closed this week, 94.3% of consultants voted to accept a 5.26% average additional uplift.    

The offer is the result of intense pay negotiations that commenced after consultants received a credible pay offer from the DoH, leading them to suspend strike action planned for June  

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.” 

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.” 

Notes to editors

*The Northern Ireland Junior doctors committee has taken strike action over pay and is currently still in dispute with the DoH. The Northern Ireland SAS (Specialists, associate specialist and specialty doctor) committee will be moving towards a formal ballot of members over pay later this year.  

The consultant pay offer will be back dated to March 2024.  

Eligible BMA Northern Ireland consultant members voted 94.3% yes to accept the pay offer, with a referendum turnout of 75.1%. 

92% of consultants in Northern Ireland voted in favour of strike action in a ballot carried out this year.