Consultants suspend strike in Northern Ireland

Consultants in Northern Ireland have suspended their impending industrial action.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that the Department of Health has made a credible salary offer which it intends to examine further.

From 26 to 27 June, senior doctors were scheduled to take part in a 24-hour strike.

The decision was taken in the context of a long-running dispute over employees’ salaries.

Dr David Farren, chair of the BMA Northern Ireland Advisory Committee, said: “We have agreed to suspend our strike while we discuss the Department’s proposals.

“Striking is still an option, but by suspending the strike we have taken a significant step and we are confident that we will soon be able to make a credible offer to members.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the decision to suspend industrial action.

“This will help create space for constructive and productive negotiations on a credible way forward,” he said.

In June, after a five-week vote, 92% of consultants voted in favor of a strike.

Voter turnout was 69%.