Following intense negotiations with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland (DoH) and employers' representatives, NISASC (the Northern Ireland Specialist, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctors committee) has reached a pay offer for SAS doctors which it is putting out to vote in an online referendum and which it recommends you vote to accept.
Referendum
The offer will open for members to vote on in an online referendum from 5 December and closing on 18 December.
Members will soon receive an email with a voting link from [email protected].
Your link to vote is unique and should not be forwarded as it can only be used once.
Key offer points at a glance
- Realigned 2021 pay scales, lifting basic pay for everyone on the 2021 contracts.
- A consolidated £1,400 pay uplift to each pay point on the closed contracts.
- A consolidated £1,400 for those on the pre 2008 contracts and anyone still employed on Associate Specialist and Staff Grade contracts.
- Pay uplift backdated to 1st April 2024.
- Measures to facilitate career progression.
- Retained the right to promote the SAS rate card for extra contractual work to SAS doctors.
How did we get here?
SAS doctors in Northern Ireland entered a dispute with DoH (Department of Health) in May 2024 as a result of years of pay erosion that was having a detrimental impact on the workforce.
NISASC representatives were invited to negotiate a pay deal with DoH based on the deal agreed by English SAS doctors in June 2024 which released funding for Northern Ireland SAS pay negotiations. This happened without NI SAS doctors having to ballot for industrial action as was the case elsewhere.
The offer
The offer from Government to SAS doctors includes the following:
- realigned 2021 pay scales, lifting basic pay for everyone on the 2021 contracts
- a consolidated £1400 pay uplift to each pay point on the closed contracts
- a consolidated £1400 for those on the pre 2008 contracts and anyone still employed on a staff grade contract
- pay uplift backdated to 1 April 2024
- measures to facilitate career progression and a range of other non-pay measures, detailed below.
DDRB
It is important to stress that on top of this offer, SAS doctors should still receive any subsequent DDRB pay uplift for 2024/25 once ongoing issues around payment have been resolved. If the 2024/25 DDRB recommendation is not implemented in full, then NISASC can (and will) open another dispute with the Department of Health.
Pay
Open contracts
DoH offered investment to increase basic pay for both the 2021 specialty doctor and specialist pay scales. Everyone on these scales will receive an increase to their basic pay of between 6.3% and 9.22% above current levels. Any uplift received from the DDRB 2024/25 recommendation will be on top of this.
The following table details the 2021 contract pay scales, the revised pay scale proposed from the offer, and the difference between the two.
| Pay Point | Current Pay (23/24) | 24/25 Pay Offer (not factoring in DDRB | Increase £ | Increase % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speciality doctor – 2021 contract holder | 1 | 52,530 | 55,825 | 3,295 | 6.3% |
| 2 | 52,530 | 55,825 | 3,295 | 6.3% | |
| 3 | 52,530 | 55,825 | 3,295 | 6.3% | |
| 4 | 60,519 | 64,315 | 3,796 | 6.3% | |
| 5 | 60,519 | 64,315 | 3,796 | 6.3% | |
| 6 | 60,519 | 64,315 | 3,796 | 6.3% | |
| 7 | 67,465 | 71,696 | 4,231 | 6.3% | |
| 8 | 67,465 | 71,696 | 4,231 | 6.3% | |
| 9 | 67,465 | 71,696 | 4,231 | 6.3% | |
| 10 | 74,675 | 79,359 | 4,684 | 6.3% | |
| 11 | 74,675 | 79,359 | 4,684 | 6.3% | |
| 12 | 74,675 | 79,359 | 4,684 | 6.3% | |
| 13 | 82,400 | 90,000 | 7,600 | 9.2% | |
| 14 | 82,400 | 90,000 | 7,600 | 9.2% | |
| 15 | 82,400 | 90,000 | 7,600 | 9.2% | |
| 16 | 82,400 | 90,000 | 7,600 | 9.2% | |
| 17 | 82,400 | 90,000 | 7,600 | 9.2% | |
| 18 | 82,400 | 90,000 | 7,600 | 9.2% | |
| Specialist (2012) | 1 | 83,945 | 91,500 | 7,555 | 9.0% |
| 2 | 83,945 | 91,500 | 7,555 | 9.0% | |
| 3 | 83,945 | 91,500 | 7,555 | 9.0% | |
| 4 | 89,610 | 95,079 | 5,496 | 9.0% | |
| 5 | 89,610 | 95,079 | 5,496 | 9.0% | |
| 6 | 89,610 | 95,079 | 5,496 | 9.0% | |
| 7 | 95,275 | 101,089 | 5,814 | 9.0% |
Please note:
- this pay scale realignment would be permanent, not a one-off increase for this year only
- this means that the uplift for the 2024/25 DDRB recommendation will be on top of these pay scales.
Closed contracts
We were clear that a deal that did not include the 2008 contract would not pass a referendum of our members in Northern Ireland. Therefore, this offer includes a consolidated £1,400 pay uplift to everyone on these pay scales. This means a total pay increase of 7.4% to 9.2% to the 2008 SAS pay scales since 2022/23.
These new pay scales will also receive an uplift as a result of the 2024/25 DDRB recommendation, whenever this is implemented in Northern Ireland.
View the table below which details the previous 2008 pay scales, and the revised pay scale proposed from the offer.
Proposal for closed pay scales
| Pay Point | 23/24 NI pay values | 24/25 Pay Offer (not factoring in DDRB) | Increase £ | Increase % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speciality Doctor (2008) | 1 | 47,186 | 48,586 | 1,400 | 3.0% |
| 2 | 51,223 | 52,623 | 1,400 | 2.7% | |
| 3 | 56,467 | 57,867 | 1,400 | 2.5% | |
| 4 | 59,278 | 60,678 | 1,400 | 2.4% | |
| 5 | 63,329 | 64,729 | 1,400 | 2.2% | |
| 6 | 67,365 | 68,765 | 1,400 | 2.1% | |
| 7 | 67,365 | 68,765 | 1,400 | 2.1% | |
| 8 | 71,489 | 72,889 | 1,400 | 2.0% | |
| 9 | 71,489 | 72,889 | 1,400 | 2.0% | |
| 10 | 75,616 | 77,016 | 1,400 | 1.9% | |
| 11 | 75,616 | 77,016 | 1,400 | 1.9% | |
| 12 | 79,741 | 81,141 | 1,400 | 1.8% | |
| 13 | 79,741 | 81,141 | 1,400 | 1.8% | |
| 14 | 79,741 | 81,141 | 1,400 | 1.8% | |
| 15 | 83,868 | 85,268 | 1,400 | 1.7% | |
| 16 | 83,868 | 85,268 | 1,400 | 1.7% | |
| 17 | 83,868 | 85,268 | 1,400 | 1.7% | |
| 18 | 87,994 | 89,394 | 1,400 | 1.6% |
| Pay Point | 23/24 NI pay values | 24/25 Pay Offer (not factoring in DDRB) | Increase £ | Increase % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff grade (M211) | 1 | 43,717 | 45,117 | 1,400 | 3.2% |
| 2 | 47,185 | 48,585 | 1,400 | 3.0% | |
| 3 | 50,656 | 52,056 | 1,400 | 2.8% | |
| 4 | 54,128 | 55,528 | 1,400 | 2.6% | |
| 5 | 57,598 | 58,998 | 1,400 | 2.4% | |
| 6 | 61,684 | 63,084 | 1,400 | 2.3% | |
| Staff Grade (M212) | 1 | 64,538 | 65,938 | 1,400 | 2.2% |
| 2 | 68,007 | 69,407 | 1,400 | 2.1% | |
| 3 | 71,478 | 72,878 | 1,400 | 2.0% | |
| 4 | 74,948 | 76,348 | 1,400 | 1.9% | |
| 5 | 78,418 | 79,818 | 1,400 | 1.8% | |
| 6 | 81,891 | 83,291 | 1,400 | 1.7% |
| Pay Point | 23/24 NI pay values | 24/25 Pay Offer (not factoring in DDRB) | Increase £ | Increase % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate specialist (pre-2008) | 1 | 48,325 | 49,725 | 1,400 | 2.9% |
| 2 | 53,441 | 54,841 | 1,400 | 2.6% | |
| 3 | 58,559 | 59,959 | 1,400 | 2.4% | |
| 4 | 63,678 | 65,078 | 1,400 | 2.2% | |
| 5 | 68,794 | 70,194 | 1,400 | 2.0% | |
| 6 | 73,912 | 75,312 | 1,400 | 1.9% | |
| 7 | 80,673 | 82,073 | 1,400 | 1.7% | |
| 8 | 86,530 | 87,930 | 1,400 | 1.6% | |
| 9 | 88,961 | 90,361 | 1,400 | 1.6% | |
| 10 | 92,131 | 93,531 | 1,400 | 1.5% | |
| 11 | 95,303 | 96,703 | 1,400 | 1.5% | |
| 12 | 98,476 | 99,876 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 13 | 101,645 | 103,045 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 14 | 104,819 | 106,219 | 1,400 | 1.3% |
| Pay Point | 23/24 NI pay values | 24/25 Pay Offer (not factoring in DDRB) | Increase £ | Increase % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Specialist (2008) | 1 | 66,158 | 67,558 | 1,400 | 2.1% |
| 2 | 71,477 | 72,877 | 1,400 | 2.0% | |
| 3 | 76,793 | 78,193 | 1,400 | 1.8% | |
| 4 | 83,815 | 85,215 | 1,400 | 1.7% | |
| 5 | 89,899 | 91,299 | 1,400 | 1.6% | |
| 6 | 92,425 | 93,825 | 1,400 | 1.5% | |
| 7 | 92,425 | 93,825 | 1,400 | 1.5% | |
| 8 | 95,721 | 97,121 | 1,400 | 1.5% | |
| 9 | 95,721 | 97,121 | 1,400 | 1.5% | |
| 10 | 99,015 | 100,415 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 11 | 99,015 | 100,415 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 12 | 102,310 | 103,710 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 13 | 102,310 | 103,710 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 14 | 102,310 | 103,710 | 1,400 | 1.4% | |
| 15 | 105,603 | 107,003 | 1,400 | 1.3% | |
| 16 | 105,603 | 107,003 | 1,400 | 1.3% | |
| 17 | 105,603 | 107,003 | 1,400 | 1.3% | |
| 18 | 108,903 | 110,303 | 1,400 | 1.3% |
The £1,400 consolidated pay uplift will also be applied to pre-2008 contracts (including pre-2008 associate specialists and staff grades).
Please note:
- this uplift to each point on the pay scales would be embedded in basic pay, so represents a recurring, pensionable increase – not a one-off payment for this year only
- this means that the DDRB’s recommendation for a 2024/25 award, whenever it is implemented in Northern Ireland, would be on top of the increase in this offer.
Non-pay measures
Alongside improving the pay scales, the offer includes a number of non-pay commitments including:
- employers will actively review current service delivery models with a view to the introduction of more specialist posts, along with guidance from the department on the creation of specialist posts
- a commitment from the department to issue a new circular to employers on the contractual commitment to SPA time
- there will be a new two-year window to apply to move to the 2021 contract, closing in April 2027
- the Department of Health will fund the introduction of SAS Advocate in each trust
- recurrent funding for the Associate Dean and SAS leads as previously agreed with BMA, NIMDTA and the department has been confirmed
- the BMA NI SAS rate card remains in place and can be actively promoted.
If the pay offer is rejected
If this offer is rejected, then the pay uplifts and other measures in it will not be implemented. The pay scales will not change from the current ones.
Our subsequent next steps would then be challenging. NISASC may need to request BMA Council’s agreement to ballot the membership for industrial action to get a mandate to strike. Members would need to be prepared to engage in this ballot, and to also take industrial action.
Have your say on the SAS pay offer
The referendum for the above offer is taking place online from 05 December and closes on 18 December.
Members will receive an email soon from [email protected] so please keep an eye on your inboxes and spam folders for that. Your link to vote is unique and should not be forwarded as it can only be used once.
Still have question on the pay offer?
Email: [email protected]