Today the DDRB has recommended a 4.5% pay uplift for doctors. Pay and the level of this years’ pay uplift now needs addressed in Northern Ireland.

Underpinning the vision of transforming and fixing our broken health service is the need to retain and recruit staff. We are currently dealing with huge staffing gaps, and pay is a contributing factor in these. Without doctors we cannot deliver the care needed to address our huge waiting lists and the massive backlog of care.

We have repeatedly said doctors need to be paid properly. What we have seen to date in Northern Ireland have been real terms pay cuts, that were continually paid to doctors months after they were agreed. This, combined with punitive pensions rules, does not make doctors feel valued, particularly when you consider the huge effort they put in during the pandemic.

We will be surveying our members to assess their views on the DDRB recommendation. But we would urge our local decision makers to think about how we can address the problems in our health system without the support of doctors, what needs to happen to ensure that support so doctors remain working in the NHS.

We have written to the Minister to request an urgent meeting to discuss the pay award for doctors in Northern Ireland.

 

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Notes to editors

The BMA is a trade union and professional association representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.