// BBC HEALTH NEWS — SALUTE
Resident doctors take strike action over pay
Dr Steven Montgomery (right) from the BMA said doctors pay has decreased by over 20% since 2008
Resident doctors are taking part in an industrial action in a dispute over pay.
The 24-hour industrial action began at 07:00 BST on Monday and will end at 06:59 on Tuesday.
It comes after consultants and specialist doctors went on strike last week - the first time for these two groups of doctors in Northern Ireland.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he remained committed to implementing this year's pay award but was currently unable to do so in the absence of an agreed budget.
Dr David Farren, chairman of the BMA's Northern Ireland consultants committee, said the resident doctor strike would be a "full walk out" rather than Christmas Day cover as it was for Thursday's strike.
He said consultants and specialist, associate specialist and speciality doctors will make sure that emergency and urgent care is prioritised.
Consultants and specialist doctors take strike action over pay
Specialist doctors to join strike in dispute over pay
Picket line demonstrations are taking place at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Belfast, Craigavon Area Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry.