BMA ballot for industrial action delayed 'as long as possible'

Doctors on the Isle of Man say pay and working culture is still a huge issue and strike action could be imminent.

The British Medical Association will begin balloting its members on Friday (12) 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 the chief executive and chair and a review into whether the healthcare provider is working as intended.

Chair of the Isle of Man Medical Society Dr Prakash Thiagarajan told Manx Radio things have been put off as long as they can:

In response Manx Care said: "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."

Doctors who are employed by Manx Care are asking for a 7.9 percent uplift in pay for the 25/26 year claiming real pay is currently down 29 percent.

In 2025 doctors called off industrial action, which would have been the first doctors strike in the Island’s history, after they voted to accept a new pay deal.

Deputy Chair of Council Dr Emma Runswick said: "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.”