By SAS Doctors Editorial team
Read the pay details on the BMA website used for this review. Click here
The BMA webpage “Pay offer for SAS doctors working in Wales” outlines the Welsh Government’s pay proposals for Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors. Key elements include:
- Pay Uplifts:
- Specialty doctors on the 2021 contract are offered increases between 7.24% and 9.2%, resulting in an overall in-year uplift for 2023/24 of 8.85% to 10.84%.
- Specialists on the 2021 contract are proposed increases ranging from 6.08% to 8.98%, equating to an overall in-year uplift of 7.67% to 10.61%.
- Associate specialists on the 2008 contract will receive a total pay award of 9% for 2023/24.
- Contract Transitions:
- The offer facilitates the transition of the 2008 contract speciality doctors to the 2021 contract, ensuring pay increases immediately or after their next incremental point.
- Additional Agreements:
- The Welsh Government commits to reforms in the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) process, aiming for neutrality in remit letters and timely implementation of recommendations.
- Upon acceptance of the offer, the BMA agrees to withdraw the SAS rate card in Wales, retaining the right to reintroduce it if future disputes arise.
The pay uplifts are backdated to 1 January 2024, and this agreement supplements the standard pay award process for 2024/25. The Welsh Government has also committed to further discussions if the 2024/25 pay review body recommendation falls below inflation.
For detailed pay scales and further information, please look at the complete BMA webpage: BMA.
Summary and Analysis of Changes for SAS Doctors and other doctors in Wales since 2021
Key Reforms for SAS Doctors in Wales and Other Doctors (2021-2024)
- Pay Uplifts:
- 6% increase in pay for SAS doctors on both 2008 and 2021 contracts, effective from April 2024, with arrears payable in instalments.
- Additional consolidated payments (£1,000) for junior doctors and dentists on top of their basic pay increase.
- Contract Specific Adjustments:
- SAS doctors on the 2021 contract have transitioned to structured, competency-based progression, which offers more apparent career development paths. That means the Welsh government has agreed to amend the 2021 Specialty Doctors contract terms and give the right to Specialty Doctors who are currently employed in NHS Wales and meet the requirements for Specialist Grade posts to apply for regrading to the Specialist post without the need to leave their current posts. In any such case, the employer (Health Board) must consider the suitability of such a transition and a service need. This has not been implemented yet (when writing this article). Health Boards in Wales are waiting for guidance from the Welsh Government, which is expected to be finalised shortly, to establish a system the doctors and their employers would follow in such circumstances.
- The other changes agreed upon in the latest pay awards in Wales are the Removal of consultant commitment awards and changes in allowances (e.g., training and mileage).
- National Contextual Changes:
- There has been a move towards parity with consultants and other clinical roles regarding pay scales and progression structures. But senior SAS doctors, especially the Associate Specialists and the new Specialist grade doctors, who are expected to work autonomously and take on many roles generally attributed to consultants, still lack parity in the pay, and current pay scales significantly fall short of rewarding these doctors.
Comparison to Other UK Nations
- England: Wales’s reforms regarding a 6% pay uplift and similar competency-based structures for the 2021 SAS contract align with England’s. However, England offers specific regional allowances or incentives in areas with staffing shortages, which may not be mirrored in Wales.
- Scotland: Scotland implemented broader public-sector pay policies, focusing on tackling pay disparity but with less clarity on structured career progression than the Welsh reforms.
- Northern Ireland: Pay reforms have lagged slightly behind, with ongoing disputes about funding allocation and contractual updates for SAS doctors.
Notable Improvements for SAS Doctors in Wales
- Increased clarity in pay progression, especially for those under the 2021 contract.
- Improved base pay with consolidated allowances.
Challenges Remaining
- Pay parity across the UK remains inconsistent, with SAS doctors in Wales potentially earning less than their counterparts in some regions of England and Scotland due to regional allowances and incentives.
- The removal of commitment awards may affect morale among senior doctors.
Although the pay scales fall short of recognising SAS doctors’ contributions to the NHS, These changes highlight a positive shift toward recognising the contributions of SAS doctors in Wales. However, some disparities remain with other UK nations.
Recent Developments in UK Doctors’ Pay Negotiations
