Doctors on the Isle of Man have agreed to a revised pay deal from Manx Care, effectively ending a long-running dispute over wages. This resolution has come after the British Medical Association (BMA) had threatened to stage a 48-hour strike. The planned walkout, which had been scheduled for last week, was postponed when the healthcare provider presented an improved 8% pay offer to doctors.
The vote, which saw participation from 125 out of 167 eligible doctors, resulted in a resounding 91% in favor of the offer. The deal marks the conclusion of “protracted pay negotiations,” according to Manx Care, and was made possible by additional funding from the Department of Health and Social Care.
Doctors had initially requested a 12.6% pay rise, a figure that Manx Care had previously deemed “unaffordable.” However, the revised agreement, which includes an 8% increase retroactive to April 1, 2023, addresses the doctors’ concerns for the previous financial year. For the current year, the pay hike is split: a 6% increase applied retroactively from April 2024, followed by a further 2% rise effective from February 1, 2025.
A key aspect of the deal is that the base salaries for Isle of Man doctors will now be aligned with those of their counterparts in the NHS in England. This move has been seen as a crucial step towards closing the pay gap that many doctors on the island have long complained about.
Prakash Thiagarajan, a member of the local negotiation committee, expressed relief that industrial action had been avoided. He described the strike as a “last resort” and said he was “glad we were able to successfully negotiate this outcome.”
Phil Banfield, Chairman of the BMA council, emphasized that the pay deal was a critical step in restoring the salaries of doctors on the Isle of Man. He noted that many doctors had seen their pay eroded by up to 19% in recent years, and this agreement marks the beginning of pay restoration. “Improving the lives of doctors is paramount, and this deal demonstrates a commitment to valuing their skills and expertise,” he said.
Despite this positive outcome, the deal comes at a time when Manx Care is facing significant financial challenges. The healthcare provider has reported an overspend of more than £16 million for the current financial year. Manx Care has acknowledged that the priority now is to reset its relationship with the BMA and move forward with addressing the broader challenges facing the island’s healthcare system.
In a statement, Manx Care highlighted the importance of focusing on other critical areas to ensure the sustainability of health and care services for the future. The agreement with the doctors is seen as a vital step in securing a more stable and sustainable healthcare environment for the Isle of Man moving forward.
This resolution reflects the ongoing challenges that many healthcare systems face in balancing the need to adequately compensate medical professionals while addressing broader financial pressures. The Isle of Man’s agreement stands as a reminder of the importance of negotiation and compromise in resolving disputes that impact essential public services.
