Manx doctors accept pay offer, ending long-running dispute

Doctors on the Isle of Man have accepted a new pay offer, bringing an end to a lengthy dispute over pay.

Ninety-one percent (114 of 125) of doctors who participated voted in favour of the offer, which sets out terms for pay restoration for medics employed by Manx Care.

Under the terms of the agreement, senior doctors will receive an eight percent pay increase, backdated to 1 April 2023.

For the 2024/25 period, they will also receive an eight percent increase, with six percent backdated to 1 April 2024 and the remaining two percent effective from 1 February 2025.

In addition, resident doctors on the Isle of Man will see their base salaries aligned with those of their counterparts in NHS England, addressing a longstanding concern over pay disparity.

The agreement follows extensive negotiations that saw the prospect of strike action raised before it was ultimately suspended at the last minute.

Chair of the Isle of Man Medical Society, Dr Prakash Thiagarajan, welcomed the result: “Industrial action was a last resort and I’m glad we were able to successfully negotiate this outcome and take the first major step towards pay restoration.

"I’d like to once again extend my thanks to the Manx Industrial Relations Service, the Chief Minister, and the Minister for Health and Social Care.”

British Medical Association Chair, Professor Phil Banfield, also commented, saying: “After successful negotiations by the BMA, we're pleased that this deal puts Isle of Man doctors on track to begin restoring their lost pay.

"Improving the lives of doctors is paramount and this deal demonstrates a commitment to valuing their skills and expertise. This shows us what doctors can achieve when we stand and organise together."

Manx Care says: "We are pleased that this offer has been accepted, which puts an end to the protracted pay negotiations. Resolution of this matter was enabled through additional funding provided to Manx Care from the DHSC, for which we are grateful.

"It allowed Manx Care, with the assistance of MIRS to resolve this for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, which has enabled doctors on the Isle of Man to achieve parity with England.

"It is now vitally important that we reset our relationship with the BMA and move forward with a number of other critically important pieces of work which secure the sustainability of health and care services for the Island moving forward."