51�Թ�

"Given the extreme budgetary challenges facing the department, however, the minister has made clear to the BMA that the £9.5m contract offer, which will provide support directly to GP practices in Northern Ireland, was the best and final offer for 2025/26."

Nesbitt said a package of £9.5m additional funding was offered to GPs and said he was "disappointed" the BMA negotiators recommended to their members that they reject the offer.

Meanwhile, BMA sources said consultants were likely to start a dispute process over their 4% rise - the first step towards moving to an industrial action ballot.

BMA council chairman Prof Philip Banfield said doctors' pay was still around a quarter less than it was 16 years ago, when taking account of inflation.

The BMA said it would ballot members next week over possible strike action.