HCSA NHS consultant members in Northern Ireland have voted 73.7% to ACCEPT the Northern Ireland Executive’s offer on pay in our dispute for pay parity.

The offer provides average pay uplifts of 5.25% and increases the consultant starting salary to £100,400. It also reduces the pay spine from 8 points to 5, allowing consultants to progress more quickly through the pay points. 

This offer is seperate to the 6% uplift recommended by the DDRB pay review body. HCSA will now urge the Health Minister to swiftly reassure doctors that the 6% uplift recommended by the pay review body will also be implemented in full. 

HCSA Executive Committee representative for Northern Ireland Dr Mark Worthington said:

"This is a big win for consultants and an overdue step towards tackling pay erosion, which has seen our pay fall behind colleagues in England, Scotland and Wales.

“It is positive that the Northern Ireland government has recognised the essential role played by consultants and followed neighbouring jurisdictions in identifying resources to improve pay.

“We now urge the Health Minister to swiftly confirm that the 6% uplift recommended by the pay review body will also be implemented. With many colleagues leaving the NHS to work for far greater remuneration in the Republic of Ireland, pay parity with our counterparts in the rest of the NHS is a minimum requirement.

“HCSA members’ decision to accept this offer brings our current dispute to a close. We will be watching closely to ensure that this progress is built upon and the erosion of our pay and professional standing reversed once and for all."

Read HCSA's member briefing on the offer for further details.