Health and Social Care (HSC) Staff Rights in Northern Ireland

Who this guide is for

People employed by a Health and Social Care (HSC) organisation in Northern Ireland, such as an HSC trust. In Northern Ireland the health service is Health and Social Care, not the NHS. Most of this guide is about staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) terms.

What this guide does not cover

• NHS staff in England, Wales or Scotland: see NHS Staff Rights in England and Wales or NHS Scotland Staff Rights.
• Staff of GP practices, care homes and private providers not employed by an HSC organisation. Use Your Rights as an Employee in Northern Ireland.
• Statutory sick pay, statutory holiday and dismissal rights: use Your Rights as an Employee in Northern Ireland.
• Doctors' and dentists' contracts and pay. Ask your employer or union.
• Complaints about care as a patient: see How Do I Complain About Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland?.

What the rules depend on

1. Who employs you? An HSC organisation, or a GP practice, contractor or agency.
2. Are you on Agenda for Change, or a medical or dental contract?
3. How long is your service? It decides your annual leave and sick pay.
4. Is it a contract issue or a legal right? Contract terms: your employer's policies and your union. Legal rights: the LRA and the industrial tribunal.

"What will I be paid?"

On 12 February 2026 the Health Minister said he wanted to give HSC AfC staff a 3.3% headline pay award for 2026/27, once his budget position was clear. In a statement on 14 October 2026 the Department of Health said the Health Minister was clear the award should be put in place and pay parity with NHS England restored as soon as possible. Check the Department of Health website for the latest position.

"How much annual leave do I get?"

Annual leave and general public holidays (handbook section 13, Table 6):

• When you start: 27 days + 8 days
• After 5 years' service: 29 days + 8 days
• After 10 years' service: 33 days + 8 days

For sick pay under your contract, check the Northern Ireland version of handbook section 14 or ask your employer or union. For statutory sick pay, see Your Rights as an Employee in Northern Ireland.

"What about my pension?"

The 2015 HSC Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland is administered by the Business Services Organisation, through the HSC Pension Service.

• Pension builds up at 1/54th of your pensionable earnings each year.
• It is revalued each year by a rate set by Treasury Orders plus 1.5%. The rate can rise, fall or be negative.
• Normal pension age is your State Pension age, or 65 if that is later.

Ask the HSC Pension Service about your own pension. For general pension rights, see Workplace Pensions & Auto-Enrolment: Your Rights in 2026.

"How do I raise a concern?"

The HSC framework lets staff raise concerns under the Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, for example where someone's health may be in danger, or about malpractice or illegal practice. It is meant to be used in all HSC organisations.

Outside your employer, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) are the prescribed bodies for health and social care. RQIA: 028 9536 1990, info@rqia.org.uk.

For your legal protection, see Whistleblowing at Work in Northern Ireland.

"Can we go on strike?"

Industrial action must follow a properly run union ballot. The 2025 and 2026 Great Britain changes to strike law do not apply in Northern Ireland. See Trade Union Rights: What You Can and Can't Do at Work in 2026 and Can My Employer Refuse to Recognise Our Union in Northern Ireland?, or ask the LRA.

Deadlines you must meet

• Most industrial tribunal claims, including unfair dismissal and discrimination: 3 months less 1 day. The 6-month time limit that starts in Great Britain on 1 October 2026 does not apply to these claims in Northern Ireland.
• Early conciliation: tell the LRA within your time limit.
• Your exact date depends on your facts. See our tribunal deadline guide.

Money figures

• 2026/27 AfC pay award: not yet in place in Northern Ireland at 14 October 2026. No figure is given here until it is confirmed.
• Minimum wage from 1 April 2026 (same across the UK): £12.71 an hour at 21 and over.

Traps

• HSC is not the NHS. NHS England pay rises do not apply automatically in Northern Ireland.
• Your pension is the HSC Pension Scheme, not the NHS Pension Scheme run by NHSBSA.
• There is no Acas early conciliation in Northern Ireland. Use the LRA.
• Do not use Great Britain strike law changes in Northern Ireland.
• Do not use the Great Britain 6-month tribunal limit.