The British Medical Association says it is yet to see improvements in healthcare on the island promised at the introduction of Manx Care.
In leaflets shared by the BMA, it says the island’s health and social care body is responsible for doctors balloting for industrial action.
The union has also claimed that Manx Care is responsible for doctors being “driven to leave the island”.
The BMA said: In 2021, Manx Care was set up to take over the running of health and care services on the Isle of Man.
“But like you, doctors are still waiting to see improvements. Instead pay uplifts for the vast majority of doctors have continued to lag behind inflation and those received by UK doctors.
Credible
“Manx Care are putting YOUR care at risk by not paying doctors fairly. If doctors are driven to leave the island to seek out fairer pay and conditions, it is patients who will be most affected by Manx Care’s negligence.”
The BMA goes on to say that it has “tried negotiating to agree a fair and reasonable pay increase of 12.6%”, which it says is still short of the pay erosion that has built up over the past 15 years, but claimed “Manx Care has refused to make a credible offer”.
Unable to Improvement
A Manx Care spokesperson told Manx.News that discussions between Manx Care and union representatives have continued, but it is Manx Care “unable to improve its offer any further in light of financial constraints, offering the full amount of budget available for annual pay awards”.
They added: “Manx Care is aware of and respects the BMA’s decision to ballot its members, and remains committed to working with the BMA to resolve the pay dispute.
“We are prepared to make plans regarding appointments and services when we have more information about the results of the BMA’s ballot. Our focus, as always, continues to be providing safe services to the island’s population.”
The spokesperson said it is also “vital” that Manx Care maintains staffing levels across essential services while recognising doctors’ right o take industrial action.
In response to strikes in the UK earlier this year Prof Chris Banfield, chair of BMA council, outlined its policy for industrial action would ensure there are sufficient staffing levels to ensure patient safety, which is widely seem as the norm across all medical unions.
Offers
In October, Manx Care release the offers it has made to the BMA since it took over responsibility for pay negotiations:
3% for the 2021/22 financial year (offer accepted by the BMA)
6% + £1000 for the 2022/23 financial year (offer accepted by the BMA)
6% for the 2023/24 financial year (offer rejected by the BMA)
4% for the 2024/25 financial year (offer rejected by the BMA)
2 Comments