Doctors in Northern Ireland are set to stage two days of strike action over pay.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said its members have voted to take part in the industrial action on June 25th and June 29th.
They said resident doctors and consultants were balloted about pay, with 92 per cent of resident doctors voting yes and 79 per cent of consultants voting for strike action.
The result of the ballot of specialist doctors will be known on Friday.
This result sends a very clear message that concerns about pay erosion, workload and the future of the profession are widely shared across the workforce, across all grades of hospital doctor
The BMA said it is now renewing its call for health minister Mike Nesbitt to “urgently engage” with a “credible pay offer” to avert the strike.
The organisation has argued that lower pay for doctors in Northern Ireland means many are choosing to work elsewhere, retire early or reduce their working hours “to prevent complete burnout”, creating a “vicious cycle for those left behind, who face an increased workload due to staff vacancies and increased stress levels leading to more burnout”.
Dr David Farren, chairman of BMA Northern Ireland consultants’ committee, said members did not take their vote lightly.
“This result sends a very clear message that concerns about pay erosion, workload and the future of the profession are widely shared across the workforce, across all grades of hospital doctor,” he said.
“No one who voted in this ballot took this decision lightly, we know that from our conversations with members, but it’s a clear indication from the doctors who actually deliver the health service in Northern Ireland exactly how serious the situation has become.”
Dr Steven Montgomery, BMA’s Northern Ireland resident doctors’ committee chairman said the onus is now on government to engage.
“This result makes it clear that doctors are standing up for safe, sustainable services and for being valued to stay working in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Younger doctors in particular are more mobile and the better pay and better working conditions on offer in other countries means we are losing doctors when we really need to do all we can to keep doctors working here.
“The onus is now firmly on government to engage urgently and meaningfully and present a credible way forward to avert strike action.”