BMA Scotland has today set out the current position on pay for doctors in Scotland, following the announcement of the recommendations of the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body being published.

The DDRB’s annual report was published following the Chancellor’s statement on various issues including public sector pay – that included a new offer for junior (soon to be known as resident) doctors in England.

Key points:

• Ultimately it is up to the Scottish Government to determine pay awards for doctors in Scotland.
• Different parts of the profession, known as branches of practice, are at different stages of this year’s pay process with most involved in direct pay negotiations having withdrawn from the DDRB, but none of these have yet concluded.
• With rota gaps and vacancies across secondary care, and a clear shortage of GPs, pay awards must be sufficient to address these considerable challenges, and address years of pay erosion.

Dr Iain Kennedy, Chair of BMA Scotland Council, said:

“The medical workforce crisis we face in Scotland is testament to the years of neglect of doctors' pay which has left the profession demoralised and devalued.

“Last year, real progress was made for junior - soon to be known as resident - doctors with both an above-inflation pay award and an agreement on a framework for progress, which beyond simple numbers, also acknowledged the need to deliver full pay restoration after years of pay increases that failed to keep up with inflation.

“This year, that step in the right direction must be built on across the profession: honouring and advancing the commitment to junior doctors and working for GPs and hospital doctors at all stages of their careers.

“In terms of yesterday’s DDRB announcement – years of poor pay awards meant that all of our secondary care branches of practice had already withdrawn from the pay review body process and are instead pursuing direct negotiations with the Scottish Government.

“For junior doctors the multi-year framework agreement made last summer means that credible progress towards full pay restoration must be made this year. Pay negotiations opened just last week and it is clear there is still work to be done to deliver on the promises made.

“Negotiations are due to begin in August for consultants and September for SAS doctors. This is the first year of direct negotiations for both of these parts of the profession – and with fresh deals made in the other nations, our senior doctors are now the worst paid anywhere in the UK, putting Scotland’s NHS at a serious competitive disadvantage.

"From being the best paid doctors in the UK – something our Government has boasted about – that position has been completely reversed and can only be rectified by Scottish ministers now acting decisively. Negotiations have already taken too long to begin, but when they do start, they must do so with urgency and deliver the results needed to retain doctors. As I have often repeated, the only way we will address the perpetual crisis our NHS faces, including unacceptably long waiting lists, is through proper investment in our medical workforce, with retention as big a priority as recruitment.”

While the Scottish GP committee (SGPC) decided to participate in the DDRB process this year, GP practice expenses are not covered by this recommendation and are determined differently to pay awards for other parts of the profession.

Reacting to yesterday’s developments, Dr Andrew Buist, Chair of SGPC, said:

“It’s clear we need to do much more to attract and retain GPs in Scotland – and the whole financial package for practices is vital to make that happen. So, while yesterday’s recommendations are relevant for GPs in Scotland, there is now a further and detailed process to go through with the Scottish Government to ensure GP practice running costs are fairly met, because unless we do that any pay award will not be achieved.

"That process will be getting underway and we will keep GPs up to date with progress. The dire workforce picture we have seen over recent years means this full package must deliver fully for GPs as it sadly hasn’t done in recent years.”

 

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.  

More background can be found at the following links:

Junior doctors
Consultants
SAS doctors