Northern Ireland hospital doctors announce two November walkouts

Hospital doctors across Northern Ireland have announced two further strikes in November as their dispute over pay continues.

Resident doctors will stage a full walkout from 7am on 20 November until 7am the following day. Consultants and specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors will then provide only Christmas Day-level cover between 7am on 23 November and 7am on 24 November.

The British Medical Association announced the action after talks with Health Minister Robbie Butler failed to produce an agreement. The union said doctors had still not received confirmation that the recommended 3.5% pay increase for 2026/27 would be implemented before Christmas.

BMA figures suggest consultant pay has fallen by 26.4% in real terms over 18 years, while resident doctors have experienced a reduction of around 20%. The union says pay erosion is making it harder to recruit and retain doctors and is placing additional pressure on already stretched services.

The November walkouts will be the second period of coordinated action involving Northern Ireland’s three secondary-care branches this year, following strikes in June. The BMA has warned that action could escalate if the government does not make a credible offer towards restoring doctors’ pay.

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