Following a meeting yesterday with the BMA Local Negotiating Committee (LNC), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) has agreed to lift the changes they had made to pre-existing  pay rates for doctors who do extra work, above and beyond their contracted working week. The rates have reverted to the pre-existing amounts, to allow for meaningful engagement through the BMA LNC.

UHB will now engage with doctors at the trust via the BMA LNC to discuss any future changes to rates, and on that basis the BMA has therefore suspended its dispute.

In a letter sent to employees the trust said:  

“We are committed to being open and candid with you ... We have heard you. We recognise that the breadth of discussions around the level of risk these changes might carry were not broad enough, and that clarity of the consequent agreed exceptions, process for raising ongoing escalations and the authorisation mechanism for any enhanced rates, were poorly communicated – this is owned by the Trust Executive. We are sorry for any distress, upset and mistrust we have caused you.”

BMA West Midlands regional consultants committee chair Dr Rinesh Parmar said: 

“We are relieved that this dangerous cut to pay rates for extra work doctors do outside of their contract has been averted, but this issue is far from resolved.

“Without fair pay we run the risk that these shifts will go unfilled, leading to understaffed wards, burnt out doctors, and patients who suffer poorer and delayed care. We’ll be working closely with UHB to agree a way forward that protects doctors and patients.”

ENDS

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.

• Read the previous press release about the dispute here.