British Medical Association is urging the Prime Minister to intervene in disputes over doctors’ pay

The union believes that strike action will be necessary if a better offer is not forthcoming

The British Medical Association has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to intervene in a pay dispute with Manx Care.

The BMA believes its involvement could prevent industrial action by doctors.

No agreement has been reached on a pay increase since April 2023, and doctors now consider strike action increasingly necessary to secure a better offer.

The current offer of six percent from April 2023 was “overwhelmingly rejected.”

Recent negotiations have reportedly been canceled without a higher offer being made, leaving the BMA to conclude it has no choice but to vote its members into industrial action.

It adds that there is still a “chance” to reach an agreement while preparations for that vote are underway.

Chairman of the Isle of Man Medical Society, Dr. Prakash Thiagarajan, said: “We will leave no stone unturned as we try to resolve this dispute and prevent industrial action.

“It is disappointing that we have not received a reasonable offer from Manx Care, but we hope that intervention from the Chief Minister can help us move forward.

“Doctors in the Isle of Man deserve to be paid fairly for the essential work they do. All we are asking is that the real pay cuts we have received are reversed.”

Manx Radio has approached the Isle of Man Government for comment.