A second group of secondary care doctors in Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a pay offer from the Department of Health (DoH).
In a referendum that closed this week, 94.7% of specialists, associate specialists and specialty doctors (SAS)* voted to accept the pay offer, bringing an end to two of three recent pay disputes with DoH.**
The new offer means SAS doctors on 2021 contracts in Northern Ireland will see an annual increase of up to 7.1%. It also offers a consolidated uplift of £1,400 to each pay point for SAS doctors on 2008 contracts***.
The pay offer accepted by SAS doctors is on top of the DDRB recommended pay uplift of 6% for 2024/25.
Speaking about the referendum result, Dr Leanne Davison, chair of BMA’s Northern Ireland specialists, associate specialists and specialty doctors committee (NISASC), said: “SAS doctors in Northern Ireland clearly feel this offer from government is a credible step towards full pay restoration.
“We are a smaller branch of practice within the health service, but we are an integral and highly skilled part of the medical workforce. We are also among the most senior clinicians in the health service, working alongside our consultant and resident doctor colleagues, however our pay did not reflect this.
“By improving SAS doctors pay in Northern Ireland, it shows that the essential role they play in the health service is valued. This pay deal will also go some way to improving the recruitment and retention of SAS doctors at a time of chronic workforce shortages and escalating workloads.”
The pay offer was the result of negotiations with DoH that started after a deal was agreed by English SAS doctors in June 2024. Pay negotiations then commenced between NISASC and DoH without the need for a ballot for industrial action.
“While we are glad to have resolved this particular pay dispute without the need to hold a formal ballot for industrial action, it should not take other UK nations reaching pay deals before credible pay offers can be made in Northern Ireland,” continued Dr Davison.
“We will continue to push the Department for further improvements to SAS doctors’ pay and career development to reverse years of deterioration. That includes addressing the unacceptable, annual uncertainty around DDRB pay uplifts to doctors and the impact this has on workforce.”****
Notes to editors
* Specialist, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctors (SAS) doctors are a branch of practice who choose to not to complete the medical training pathway towards a consultant or general practitioner role. They are employed in variety of specialties within hospital medicine and can hold senior clinical roles throughout the health service.
**In August consultants voted to accept a pay offer from DoH. BMA’s Northern Ireland resident doctors committee this week announced they will be putting a pay offer to residents in the new year.
***There are two different contracts for SAS doctors employed in Northern Ireland. Read more here - https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/contracts/sas-doctor-contract/sas-contracts
****The pay offer accepted by SAS doctors in Northern Ireland is on top of the DDRB recommended pay uplift for 2024/25.