The Isle of Man’s chief minister has called for “constructive dialogue and reforms” to try to avoid a strike by the island’s doctors.

He has written to the British Medical Association (BMA) and Manx Care urging them not to carry out walkouts.

Doctors and dentists of the island’s medical profession are being voted on on industrial action following a salary dispute.

In a letter to the BMA, Alfred Cannan said “a further substantial wage increase is not financially viable” for the government’s budget.

Manx Care said it was “unable to further improve its offer in light of financial constraints, offering the full budget available for annual salary awards”.

The BMA has been contacted for comment.

The BMA’s request for a 12.6% increase in salary awards for 2023-2024 was said “unaffordable” by Manx Care, which instead awarded an interim increase of 6%, with 4% offered for 2024/25.

In October, Manx Care announced a round of £5m cuts to services, in a bid to make up a £16.8m deficit in its accounts for the financial year.

Cannan told the BMA: “I am not against hospital consultants receiving appropriate reward for their skills and efforts.

“But it has recently come to public attention that there is a very considerable disparity in pay levels within the medical professional group.”

In his letter to Manx Care, Cannan said the annual awards for the 20 highest-paid doctors were worth more than £400,000 and “the current remuneration system is clearly not financially sustainable without reform”.

Manx Care said: “We are ready to schedule appointments and services when we have more information on the results of the BMA ballot.”

The health body said it was “vital” to maintain safe staffing levels in essential or vital services while “respecting and recognizing the right of our colleagues to take industrial action if they wish”.

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