Hospital doctors in Northern Ireland plan two November strikes over pay

Hospital doctors in Northern Ireland plan two separate 24-hour strikes in November over pay, the British Medical Association (BMA) said. Resident doctors are due to strike from 07:00 BST on 20 November, followed by consultants and specialist, associate specialist and speciality grade doctors from 07:00 on 23 November. Both actions are scheduled to end at 07:00 the following morning.

The doctors will provide “Christmas Day cover,” meaning most routine and elective services will be cancelled while full emergency cover remains, according to the BBC. The BMA said doctors’ pay had fallen by upwards of 26% over the past 18 years because of below-inflation awards, and warned it could escalate action if progress is not made. Northern Ireland’s Department of Health said the health minister wanted the 2026/27 award implemented and pay parity with NHS England restored as soon as possible.