Consultants and specialist doctors in Northern Ireland conducted a 24-hour industrial action beginning Thursday at 07:00 BST and ending Friday at 07:00, marking the first strike by these groups in the region. Emergency services remained fully operational, and patients were able to attend scheduled appointments unless otherwise notified. The action proceeded without picket line demonstrations.
The walkout resulted in service disruptions across multiple health trusts. The Belfast Trust postponed 569 outpatient appointments and 114 day cases, while the Western Trust cancelled or postponed 321 appointments including inpatient, outpatient, and day case procedures. The Northern Trust rescheduled five planned day procedures, 62 outpatient appointments, and 64 radiology appointments. The Southern Trust rescheduled 143 outpatient appointments and 11 surgeries. Lagan Valley Hospital’s urgent care centre was closed due to the action. Despite these cancellations, the Department of Health stated that 90% of routine and elective services proceeded as scheduled.
The British Medical Association conducted a four-week ballot on industrial action after rejecting a recommended 3.5% pay uplift from an independent pay body. Voting showed 92% of resident doctors, 79% of consultants, and 90% of specialist associate specialist doctors supported strike action. BMA representatives cited over 18 years of pay erosion as justification for the action. A second 24-hour walkout is scheduled for later in the month.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed disappointment at the strike but stated his inability to offer more than the 3.5% uplift in the absence of an agreed budget. He cited potential repercussions for other public sector workers including nurses, teachers, and police officers if pay awards exceeded independent review body recommendations. BMA leadership countered that the offer fails to achieve parity with doctors’ compensation in other UK nations and noted that pay erosion continues to drive doctors from the Northern Ireland health service, creating staffing shortages and burnout among remaining staff.
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