The Health Minister has welcomed confirmation from the BMA Northern Ireland consultants committee that it will accept the pay offer tabled by his department.
Minister Nesbitt said: “I very much welcome the decisive outcome of the referendum. It is very unfortunate that the severe budgetary challenges facing the Department over recent years have impacted on the timing of pay awards. However I want to again acknowledge the willingness and commitment that there has been on both sides to find an agreeable solution.”
Today’s announcement follows the conclusion of a three-week referendum which saw 94.3% of consultant members vote in favour of the deal.
The offer represents an average uplift of 5.26% on the value of the NI pay scales for consultants.
The department will now move to implement the offer with the award backdated to 1 March 2024. This is in addition to the pay uplift of 6% for 2023/24 which was settled through the pay review body process and was paid in June 2024.
The Health Minister has previously said that he is supportive in principle of the recommendations made by the review bodies for 2024/25 but is unable to make an immediate decision due ongoing budget pressures. The Department will continue to engage with the Executive and the UK Government to confirm the financial implications for NI and to seek to secure the additional funding required.
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