Pay scales for consultants in Scotland

The basic pay scales for NHS consultants in Scotland.

Location: Scotland
Audience: Consultants
Updated: Wednesday 11 September 2024
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The tables below list the basic pay scales for consultants in Scotland.

Consultants on the 2004 contract

Threshold Value £
1 96,963
2 99,011
3 101,957
4 104,906
5 (5-9 years as a consultant) 107,846
6 (10-14 years) 114,846
7 (15-19 years) 121,846
8 (20+ years) 128,841

Consultants on the pre-2004 contract

Level Value £
Basic 80,505
1 86,268
2 92,028
3 97,790
4 103,242

Discretionary points

Level Value £
1 3,204
2 6,408
3 9,612
4 12,816
5 16,020
6 19,224
7 22,428
8 25,632

Pandemic-related training delays and pay

BMA Scotland has reached agreement with NHS Scotland employers that junior doctors who experienced pandemic-related training delays will start on a higher pay point when becoming consultants.

The decision will reduce the financial penalty associated with the unavoidable disruption to professional development caused by COVID-19, which would otherwise have a large cumulative impact on pay and pensions.

An acknowledgement of the unprecedented pressure and disruption posed by COVID-19 on the development of doctors in training in the NHS, saw the creation of special outcomes in the UK Annual Review of Competence Progression.

Known as 10.1 and 10.2 outcomes, they seek to recognise that an individual’s ability to access sufficient or relevant training has been impeded during the pandemic, and support the trainee in either a move to the next stage in their training or receive additional training required for them to progress. This guidance should assist both trainees and employers.

The BMA can offer advice to members unsure of their position in relation to this guidance, and who need support in how these provisions are applied. 

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