The NIRDC considers all matters affecting resident doctors in Northern Ireland and acts on their behalf. We do this by informing, liaising and lobbying with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland (DoH), Single Lead Employer, NIMDTA (Northern Ireland medical and dental training agency) and host organisations (HSC trusts). We also work closely with BMA’s Northern Ireland Council and the UKRDC. Our main functions are:

• to communicate the activities of the NIRDC and UKRDC to resident doctors in Northern Ireland
• to promote the policies of RDC
• to encourage resident doctors in Northern Ireland to take part in the medico-political process
• to help resident doctors take action against their employers, as may seem necessary by the NIRDC
• to liaise with the BMA (NI) office and the industrial relations officers of the BMA
• to monitor and ensure, to the best of our ability, the enforcement of current national agreements regarding terms and conditions of service at a regional level
• fair interpretation of resident doctors' contracts in NI
• that medical posts established within NI are in accordance with such workforce objectives as may exist from time to time.

Our priorities

A reformed contract for resident doctors in Northern Ireland 

As part of the pay deal for resident doctors that was accepted in January 2025, NIRDC and the Department of Health have agreed to open discussions on negotiating a new contract of employment for residents. Initial planning meetings are currently taking place and once these conclude contract negotiations will commence. 

Contract survey 

Before negotiations begin, it is important that we hear from resident doctors across Northern Ireland on what you think a new contract should look like. The first stage of this is an online survey open to all resident doctors whether you are a member or not. The survey is open NOW and will run until 09 September.  

Take the survey

We will also be holding a series of engagement events in workplaces across the country where you can share your thoughts on what a new contract should look like. Dates for these events will be announced soon. 

• Read more about the 2002 resident doctor contract.
• Blog: ‘Long past time for contract change.’ 

Pay restoration

Resident doctors in Northern Ireland are undervalued, underpaid, overworked, and lacking in training opportunities. That’s why we’re fighting for fair pay and full pay restoration.

Read more about our campaign to fix pay for resident doctors.

Improving working conditions

As part of the pay deal agreed in January 2025, DoH, the Single Lead Employer (NIMDTA) and host organisations (HSC Trusts), have agreed to work with NIRDC to ensure that the recommendations contained in the report of the Strategic Group for Enhancing the Quality of Medical Education in NI (SGEQMENI) are implemented and a structure and timeframes for monitoring the implementation process be established. This includes:

• work to improve the provision of rest and on-call facilities for doctors in training which is one of the key recommendations within the NIRDC’s fatigue & facilities charter which was developed in May 2020. 
• commitment to “fair and timely rota design” for doctors in training in adherence to the recommendations set out in the Northern Ireland code of practice developed by BMA and DoH NI.
• commitment by NIMDTA to actively support Less than Full Time Training (LTFT) as an option across all NIMDTA medical training programmes. Their LTFT policy has been reviewed to facilitate better trainee and service needs. Implementation of this policy will be monitored at various forums: NIMDTA’s Trainee Forum, NIRDC, and the NIMDTA Single Lead Employer LNC.

#TakeControl

We want to encourage resident doctors to better understand their workplace rights and entitlements. Our infographic outlines some key workplace rights and how you can protect them.

Our people

Chair: Dr Fiona Griffin

Deputy chairs:
Dr Steven Montgomery (Education, training and other issues)

Dr Oisín Fearon (Negotiations and issues relating to terms and conditions, the new deal, the EWTD and revalidation).

Our meetings

We meet four times a year to discuss the issues that are most important to doctors in training.

These meetings are open to members of the NIRDC. Non-voting committee members can also come along and participate as part of the BMA committee visitors scheme.

Next meeting dates:

• Thursday 18 September 2025 (hybrid)
• Thursday 4 December 2025 (online)
• Thursday 26 February 2026 (hybrid)
• Wednesday 6 May 2026 (online)

All meetings take place from 2pm – 5pm either virtually or as a hybrid meeting (venue can vary).

For more information, emails us or call 028 9026 9666.

How to join

There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills. 

Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of NIRDC, this is: 

The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.  

Elections

Elections to the Northern Ireland resident doctor committee are now closed.

Get in touch

If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the NIRDC, email us or call 028 9026 9666.