Hospital consultants suspend strike action in NI

Senior doctors have suspended taking any strike action for now

Consultants in Northern Ireland have suspended their forthcoming industrial action.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that the Department of Health have put forward a credible pay offer that it wishes to explore further.

The senior doctors were due to take part in a 24-hour walk out from 26 to 27 June.

The decision had been voted for as part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Dr David Farren, chair of the BMA Northern Ireland’s consultants' committee, said: “We have agreed to suspend our strike action while we discuss the proposals the department has made.

"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."

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

"This helps create space for constructive and productive negotiations on a credible way forward," he said.

In June, 92% of consultants voted in favour of going on strike after a five-week ballot.

There was a 69% turnout for the ballot.