Consultants and specialist doctors in Northern Ireland engaged in industrial action as part of an ongoing pay dispute with health authorities. The action marked the first strike involving these physician groups in the region and lasted 24 hours, beginning at 07:00 BST on Thursday and concluding at 07:00 on Friday. According to the Department of Health, approximately 90% of routine and elective services proceeded as scheduled, though some appointments and procedures were rescheduled across multiple health trusts.
Full emergency coverage remained operational throughout the action. The Southern Trust rescheduled 143 outpatient appointments and 11 surgeries, while the Northern Trust postponed 62 outpatient appointments and 64 radiology appointments. The Belfast Trust cancelled or postponed 569 outpatient appointments and 114 day cases. The Western Trust postponed or cancelled 321 appointments including inpatient, outpatient and day case procedures. The South Eastern Health Trust closed Lagan Valley Hospital’s urgent care centre due to the strike.
The dispute centers on a recommended 3.5% pay increase from an independent pay body, which physician representatives have rejected. Medical leadership has characterized this as insufficient given what they describe as over 18 years of pay erosion compared to counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales. In member ballots conducted over a four-week period, 92% of resident doctors, 79% of consultants, and 90% of specialist associate specialist doctors voted in favour of strike action.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed disappointment at the industrial action while stating his commitment to the pay award, though he cited budget constraints as preventing implementation. He indicated that exceeding the 3.5% recommendation would create complications for other public sector workers. Representatives from the British Medical Association plan to meet with assembly health committee leadership to continue negotiations. A second 24-hour walkout is scheduled for Monday of the following week.
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