The union believes that a strike will be necessary if an improved offer is not obtained

The British Medical Association has written to the Prime Minister urging him to intervene in a pay dispute with Manx Care.

The BMA believes its involvement could prevent a doctors’ strike.

No agreement has been reached on a pay increase since April 2023, and doctors now see a strike as increasingly necessary to get a better deal.

The current offer of six percent from April 2023 was “overwhelmingly rejected”.

Recent negotiations were reported to have been cancelled, with no improved offer put forward, leading the BMA to conclude it has no choice but to vote members for industrial action.

He adds that there remains a “window of opportunity” to conclude an agreement while preparations for that vote are underway.

President of the Isle of Man Medical Society, Dr Prakash Thiagarajan, says: “We will spare no effort in our attempt to resolve this dispute and avoid a strike.

“It is disappointing not to have received a reasonable offer from Manx Care, but we hope the Chief Minister’s intervention can help us move forward.

“Isle of Man doctors deserve to be paid fairly for the essential work they do. All we are asking is for the real terms pay cuts we have been receiving to be reversed.”

Manx Radio has contacted the Isle of Man Government for comment.