Following negotiations, senior doctors and consultants in NHS Scotland accepted an increase of 10.5% to their basic salaries. The pay raise is retroactively effective from 1 April.
The doctors will receive between PS10,000 to PS13,500 extra per year as part of this deal worth PS124.9million.
For the first time in 2009, PS5.7 million was invested to upgrade the discretionary point system. This is a financial reward programme that rewards excellence in the delivery of services. The investment will increase the value of every discretionary point from 12.3% to 11%.
Late September, the offer was made to doctors. The offer was voted on by 95.8% of doctors, a total of 70.9%.
Dr Alan Robertson is the chair of BMA Scotland’s consultant committee. He said: “Overall, we believe, and this view is shared by the profession as well, that the pay increase this year is an important step to address the erosion in consultant pay. This will make Scotland a more attractive place to work for consultants, increase retention, and benefit both the NHS and its patients.
“There is still much to be done and built upon.” There is still a lot of ground to cover to get back to the old pay levels and to recover what has been lost. While this award is helpful, the higher tax rates in Scotland will impact the competitiveness of Scottish NHS and our jobs compared to other parts of the UK. We must continue to push for a more attractive consultant environment in Scotland, and ensure that this offer isn’t a one-off but rather a sign of the future.
Neil Gray, the Health Secretary, said: “I’m very happy that our consultants have accepted our pay offer. It will make our consultant workforce feel valued and supported. This will bring Scotland in line with recent wage deals in other parts the UK and ensure our NHS remains competitive for recruiting and retaining consultant. We are committed to supporting this vital part of NHS Scotland.
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