Pay recommendation victory for doctors
Northern Ireland will see a pay rise in full, in line with all UK nations
Doctors in Northern Ireland will finally get this year’s recommended pay rise in full – almost a year later than it should have come into effect.
Health minister Mike Nesbitt’s announcement follows months of fury from healthcare workers after the minister said he couldn’t afford to pay the recommended amount in full because of budget constraints. Previously he had said he could pay it for nine out of 12 months of the year.
The BMA and other unions had been calling for the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration-recommended uplift for this financial year to be paid in full, as had happened in the other three countries of the UK.
The BMA in Northern Ireland welcomed the announcement but added: ‘As we have said before, pay awards need to be built into the financial plans of the department to avoid delays in it being paid to doctors.’
‘Challenging time’
The Doctor understands the increase – backdated to 1 April 2024 – will reach doctors in their pay packets next month (March).
Mr Nesbitt said: ‘I acknowledge it has been a challenging time for HSC [health and social care] staff as my department has faced strict financial constraints over the last couple of years and I want to thank trades unions for their engagement and collaboration which has helped secure a full pay deal for all HSC staff.
‘The confirmed 2024/25 pay package will see the maintenance of pay parity with England for health and social care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework. This involves a large proportion of the overall health service workforce in Northern Ireland.’
Mr Nesbitt has also welcomed the appointment of Mike Farrar as interim permanent secretary of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. Mr Farrar is a former chief executive of the NHS Confederation and head of primary care at the Department of Health in England.
