NI consultants re-enter pay row with government over 4% pay rise

Northern Ireland’s senior hospital doctors have reopened a formal dispute with the Department of Health, accusing the government of failing to deliver fair pay and timely uplifts.

The British Medical Association’s Northern Ireland Consultants Committee (NICC) confirmed it has re-entered a pay dispute with the Department of Health and health service employers after rejecting this year’s Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) recommended 4% uplift.

Consultants say the increase falls far short of reversing years of below-inflation pay awards and is still unpaid in Northern Ireland, despite being implemented elsewhere in the UK.

NICC chair, Dr David Farren, said:

“When our members voted to accept last year’s pay deal we warned the department must demonstrate that it values doctors by continuing to work with us on reversing years of below inflation pay awards and to ensure timely and prompt payment of all future pay body recommended uplifts.

“Regrettably after engaging with the department on this issue since April, this has not happened and we have been left with no choice but to re-enter a pay dispute with a reintroduction of a rate card for non-contractual work. If the Health minister will not value our time, we will.”

Dr Farren expressed frustration at what he called “year after year of missed promises and deadlines” on pay, warning that the 4% rise “does not align with our aim of full pay restoration” and fails to address pay erosion of up to 26% for consultants.

“Not only does it cause financial penalties and delay life plans such as retirement, it sends a clear message to consultants: The complex, high-skilled, life-saving job we do is valued less if you work in Northern Ireland’s health service. It is insulting and no longer acceptable.”

The committee says it will consult members through an indicative ballot on next steps, which could lead to a full industrial action vote if there is strong opposition to the 4% uplift.

The BMA has also reintroduced its consultant rate card for non-contractual NHS work in Northern Ireland, setting out recommended rates for duties outside regular contracted hours. This applies to NHS trust work only, not private practice.

The Department of Health has previously stated that it faces severe budgetary pressures and that funding the pay rise remains “challenging”.