Consultants and specialist doctors in Northern Ireland carried out industrial action on Thursday and Friday, marking the first strike by these professional groups in the region. The walkout lasted 24 hours, beginning at 07:00 BST on Thursday and concluding at 07:00 on Friday. Emergency services remained fully operational throughout the period, and patients were able to attend all scheduled appointments unless specifically notified otherwise.
The Department of Health indicated that 90% of routine and elective services proceeded as planned despite the strike. However, various health trusts reported significant service disruptions. The Southern Trust rescheduled 143 outpatient appointments and 11 surgeries. The Northern Trust postponed five day procedures, 62 outpatient appointments, and 64 radiology appointments. The Belfast Trust postponed 569 outpatient appointments and 114 day cases. The Western Trust cancelled or postponed 321 appointments across inpatient, outpatient, and day case categories. The South Eastern Health Trust closed Lagan Valley Hospital’s urgent care centre due to the strike.
The industrial action stemmed from a pay dispute following doctors’ rejection of a recommended 3.5% pay uplift from an independent pay body. The BMA conducted a four-week ballot in which 92% of resident doctors, 79% of consultants, and 90% of SAS doctors voted in favor of strike action. Representatives cited over 18 years of pay erosion as a key grievance. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt stated he remained committed to implementing this year’s pay award but lacked the necessary budget authority. He noted that exceeding the 3.5% recommendation would create repercussions for other public sector workers including nurses, teachers, and police officers.
BMA leadership emphasized concerns about recruitment and retention of doctors in Northern Ireland. Dr David Farren noted that doctors in the region earn less than their counterparts in England, Scotland, and Wales. Dr Leanne Davison stated the health service could no longer rely on staff goodwill, citing instances where doctors are leaving the profession or reducing hours due to sustained pay erosion, resulting in service closures from staffing shortages. A second 24-hour strike was scheduled for later this month, and BMA representatives planned to meet with assembly health committee leadership at Stormont.
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