BMA to ballot doctors in the IOM for industrial action

It's amid ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions

Doctors on the Isle of Man are to be balloted on whether or not they should take industrial action.

It's amid ongoing disputes about pay and working conditions at Manx Care.

The British Medical Association says it comes after Noble's Hospital was placed under the highest level of operational pressure last month.

It's also amid changes to the management of Manx Care following the resignations of both its chief executive and chair and a review into whether the healthcare provider is working as intended.

The union's also calling for a 7.9 percent uplift in pay for the 25/26 year, after doctors were given an eight percent rise last year.

Chair of the Isle of Man Medical Society Dr Prakash Thiagarajan says: "Doctors on the Isle of Man deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do, and the pay cuts we have faced over the last decade are unfair and untenable. 

"No doctor wants to go on strike but, without an acceptable offer from Manx Care, this is a very real possibility. 

"Manx Care can prevent any strikes by addressing the severe real terms pay cuts that Isle of Man doctors have endured."

Deputy chair of council Dr Emma Runswick says: "Isle of Man doctors have been undervalued for far too long. 

"As a result of organising in the BMA and the threat of strike action last year, doctors won a significant step towards reversing real terms pay cuts, but the fight for fair pay is not over. 

"Manx doctors in the BMA, like on mainland, stand ready to fight for recognition of their skills and expertise."

The ballot will be carried out between 12 June and 2 July.

Manx Radio invited Manx Care to respond.

In a statement the health body said: "Manx Care has been informed by the British Medical Association that they plan to ballot doctors on the Isle of Man for potential industrial action.

"We remain committed to continuing constructive and ongoing dialogue to reach agreement on pay before the ballot closes on 2 July.

"Our priority remains the delivery of safe, high-quality care for patients. 

"We are making appropriate contingency plans to ensure that essential services, in particular urgent and emergency care continue to be provided.

"As this is an ongoing negotiation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage."