We continue to campaign for fair pay for all hospital dentists working in Northern Ireland, working closely with our BMA NI colleagues who act as lead negotiator in relation to shared Hospital Dental Service (HDS) contracts.
Once again, we are seeking the views of our HDS NI members - Residents, Specialty, Associate Specialist, and Specialist (SAS) and Consultants. We ask that you complete our latest survey which you will receive by email so that we can continue to pursue all avenues available to us.
Our latest survey will provide two main functions:
- Data refresh: to ensure we have up to date employment records of all our HDS members
- Temperature check: knowing our members’ attitudes towards the latest Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) pay offer, a possible future ballot on industrial action, and willingness to be involved in such action will help inform how we choose to proceed.
By way of update, the 54th DDRB Report published on 25 March recommended a 3.5% uplift for hospital dentists. The absence of an agreed Northern Ireland Budget by the Executive threatens to once again delay payment of uplifts here.
We have urged the NI Executive to act decisively to support dentistry.
Key concerns raised in BMA NI committees centre on the quantum of the uplift, and in particular how this relates to addressing historic pay erosion. There are also concerns about the possibility of further delay in having uplifts paid in the absence of a Budget agreed by the NI Executive.
It is in this important context that we want to hear your views.
Keep an eye on your inbox for your unique survey link.