Specialist, associate specialist and specialty grade (SAS) in Northern Ireland have voted to strike later this month. their ballot for industrial action over pay.

90% of SAS doctors voted in favour of strike action. They join consultant and resident doctors who returned yes votes earlier this week, meaning all doctors working in Northern Ireland’s hospitals will be staging walk-outs over pay erosion on 25 and 29 June.

Speaking about the result, Dr Leanne Davison, chair of BMA’s Northern Ireland SAS committee (NISASC), said: “SAS doctors do not take the decision to strike lightly, and this result reflects the strength of feeling across our workforce about pay erosion.

“We are an essential part of the HSC workforce, with experience comparable to our consultant and more senior resident doctor colleagues. Yet, like them, we have seen our pay steadily eroded since 2008.

“The persistent lack of recognition and limited opportunities for career progression within the health service have only compounded the sense that SAS doctors are undervalued.

“This clear ‘yes’ vote shows that we have reached a tipping point. SAS doctors are prepared to stand up for the future of the medical workforce and the care we provide to patients.

“Strike action is still avoidable. It is now up to the government to come forward with a meaningful and credible offer that makes real progress towards pay restoration.”

Notes to editors

• SAS doctors will take industrial action alongside consultants from 7am on Thursday 25 June to 6.59am on Friday 26 June. 
• This action will take the form of Christmas Day cover. This means that most routine and elective services will be cancelled but full emergency cover will remain in place. The action will last from 7am on Thursday 25 June to 6.59am on Friday 26 June.
• The industrial action for residents will take the form of a full walk out. The action will last from 7am on Monday 29 June to 6.59am on Tuesday 30 June.
• BMA announced its planned dates for industrial action six weeks before the potential action so that consultants and their colleagues were able to put in early plans to manage patient lists and prioritise urgent patient care in the event of a successful ballot. We will prioritise patient safety and continue to provide emergency care, in-keeping with the level of services available on Christmas Day. There will be a process agreed for requesting derogations for emergencies.
• Specialist, Associate specialist and specialty doctors are employed in variety of specialties within hospital medicine and can hold senior clinical roles throughout the health service.
• Turnout for the SAS doctor ballot was 36%