Menu
20/05/2024
Widespread Disruption Expected Across Health Service
The Department of Health (DoH) have warned about possibility of widespread disruption in the health service this week due to industrial action.
The BMA Junior Doctors Committee has announced two day strike action from 7am on Wednesday 22 May until 7am on Friday 24 May.
HSC Trusts will work to mitigate the impact as much as possible and will publish more information this week on affected service areas. Significant disruption is expected not only on the two strike days but over following days.
The Department stands ready to continue discussions with the Junior Doctors Committee and does not accept that talks have "collapsed". There are important issues of substance to be progressed, including reform of the current junior doctor contract in NI. The Department has offered a process of independent arbitration, but this has not been taken up to date.
Addressing the industrial action, the DoH said: "When the ballot for industrial action was launched, junior doctors - like the rest of the NI health service staff – had received no pay award for 2023/24.
"That is no longer the case. The 2023/24 recommendations of the national pay review body, the DDRB, have now been implemented in NI. The award will be paid in the June pay run, landing in pay packets next month.
"For junior doctors in Northern Ireland, it will bring an average pay increase of 9.07%, with those in their first year receiving a 10.68% uplift.
"The Department cannot resolve the BMA demand for pay restoration – for a pay settlement that reverses public sector pay limits over the past decade and more.
"That's an issue that has impacted public sector employees across the UK as a result of UK Government policy. It is a national issue that cannot be resolved locally."
The BMA Junior Doctors Committee has announced two day strike action from 7am on Wednesday 22 May until 7am on Friday 24 May.
HSC Trusts will work to mitigate the impact as much as possible and will publish more information this week on affected service areas. Significant disruption is expected not only on the two strike days but over following days.
The Department stands ready to continue discussions with the Junior Doctors Committee and does not accept that talks have "collapsed". There are important issues of substance to be progressed, including reform of the current junior doctor contract in NI. The Department has offered a process of independent arbitration, but this has not been taken up to date.
"That is no longer the case. The 2023/24 recommendations of the national pay review body, the DDRB, have now been implemented in NI. The award will be paid in the June pay run, landing in pay packets next month.
"For junior doctors in Northern Ireland, it will bring an average pay increase of 9.07%, with those in their first year receiving a 10.68% uplift.
"The Department cannot resolve the BMA demand for pay restoration – for a pay settlement that reverses public sector pay limits over the past decade and more.
"That's an issue that has impacted public sector employees across the UK as a result of UK Government policy. It is a national issue that cannot be resolved locally."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 July 2024
Other News In Brief
New Research Shows That Mental Health Training Is Linked To Better Performance New research by Queen's University Belfast and the University of Nottingham shows that mental health training for line managers is linked to better business performance, potentially saving companies millions in lost sick days annually.
Other News In Brief
New Research Shows That Mental Health Training Is Linked To Better Performance New research by Queen's University Belfast and the University of Nottingham shows that mental health training for line managers is linked to better business performance, potentially saving companies millions in lost sick days annually.
10 July 2024
New Funding Announced For Substance Abuse Project
Funding of £200,000 has been announced for a new project to help those experiencing substance use and/or mental health difficulties. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced the funding during a visit to ARC Fitness, a community based not-for-profit addiction recovery organisation based in L'Derry.
New Funding Announced For Substance Abuse Project
Funding of £200,000 has been announced for a new project to help those experiencing substance use and/or mental health difficulties. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced the funding during a visit to ARC Fitness, a community based not-for-profit addiction recovery organisation based in L'Derry.
31 August 2022
NI Doctors Consider Leaving Health Service Over Pay Award
Doctors in Northern Ireland have announced that this years planned pay award is making them consider leaving the health service, either by working elsewhere or by retiring earlier than planned. In a BMA NI survey of more than 1000 doctors working in Northern Ireland, 85% of respondents said the proposed uplift of 4.
NI Doctors Consider Leaving Health Service Over Pay Award
Doctors in Northern Ireland have announced that this years planned pay award is making them consider leaving the health service, either by working elsewhere or by retiring earlier than planned. In a BMA NI survey of more than 1000 doctors working in Northern Ireland, 85% of respondents said the proposed uplift of 4.
25 July 2024
Two People Charged Over Kevin Davidson Murder
Two people have been charged with the murder of Kevin Davidson whose body was found at a property on Donegall Avenue on Saturday 20 July. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team have charged a 32-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman with the murder of Mr Davidson who was reported missing earlier this month.
Two People Charged Over Kevin Davidson Murder
Two people have been charged with the murder of Kevin Davidson whose body was found at a property on Donegall Avenue on Saturday 20 July. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team have charged a 32-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman with the murder of Mr Davidson who was reported missing earlier this month.
23 July 2024
Other News In Brief
New Civil Engineering Skills Academy Launched A new Civil Engineering Skills Academy has been announced by the Department for Infrastructure.
Other News In Brief
New Civil Engineering Skills Academy Launched A new Civil Engineering Skills Academy has been announced by the Department for Infrastructure.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers at first, but these will gradually die out through the evening. Cloudy but mainly dry through the night, with the chance some showers in the south and west. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
