Consultants agree to suspend planned 24-hour strike following pay offer

A planned strike by consultants in the health service has been suspended following a pay offer.

The British Medical Association Northern Ireland’s consultant committee is set to consider the offer.

It comes after a ballot in which 92% of those who voted indicated they were prepared to take industrial action.

A 24-hour strike by consultants was planned to take place from 7am on June 26 to 7am on June 27.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BMA said consultant representatives met with the Department of Health who put forward what they termed a credible pay offer that the BMA wishes explore further.

However Dr David Farren, chairman of the BMA Northern Ireland’s consultants committee said, said striking remained an option.

“We have agreed to suspend our strike action while we discuss the proposals the department has made,” he said.

“Striking is still an option, but in suspending the strike we have made a signification step, and we are hopeful we can present a credible offer to members soon.”

Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the development.

“I welcome the BMA decision to suspend planned strike action by consultants in order to discuss proposals made by my department,” he said.

“This helps create space for constructive and productive negotiations on a credible way forward.

“I very much value the contribution made by consultants and all their colleagues across medicine and the entire health and social care system.”