By Charlotte Webster-
NHS doctors in the Uk will be given a substantial pay increase, ending months of negotiations and uncertainty.
This long-awaited pay hike comes as a result of the government accepting the recommendations put forth by the Independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB). Approximately 150,000 doctors, including those in training, consultants, Speciality and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors, and dentists, are set to benefit from this much-needed boost to their income, which will be backdated to April.
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First-year doctors in training, often referred to as junior doctors, are among the biggest beneficiaries of this pay increase, with a staggering 10.3% uplift in their salaries.
This means that the basic pay for a first-year junior doctor will surge from £29,300 to a more substantial £32,300. Even more experienced junior doctors, with three years of core training under their belts, will witness a significant pay rise, seeing their income climb from £40,200 to £43,900.
The pay scales for consultants are also on the rise, with a 6% increase that will see starting basic full-time pay reaching £93,600. When combined with on-call payments and other activities, the average consultant’s annual earnings will soar to an impressive £134,000.
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This comes on top of a 4.5% pay rise awarded last year, as well as substantial pension reforms that have removed previous restrictions, including the £1 million lifetime cap.
In addition to these increases, some healthcare staff will have the opportunity to benefit from performance pay, overtime, pay progression, and pay raises associated with promotions.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay praised the hard work of NHS staff and the fairness of the pay increase. He stated, “We have worked at speed to ensure they will start receiving this in their pay packets this month.
I’ve been clear this pay award is final, and I urge the BMA to end its callous and calculated strike action – these are only serving to lengthen waiting lists, harm patients, and put more pressure on their colleagues.”
Funding for this substantial pay award will be sourced from existing departmental budgets, ensuring that frontline services are safeguarded. The government remains committed to avoiding increased borrowing, as this could exert additional pressure on inflation, leading to higher interest rates and mortgage rates.
Moreover, in an effort to retain experienced doctors and make retirement more attractive, the government is introducing new retirement flexibilities. From April 1, 2023, restrictions on the amount of work that retired staff can undertake when returning to service were lifted, allowing them to rejoin the scheme and build more pension.
Starting from October 1, 2023, a partial retirement option will be introduced, enabling staff to claim a portion of their pension benefits while continuing to work and accumulate further pension.
This substantial pay increase not only recognizes the dedication and commitment of the UK’s healthcare professionals but also ensures that the National Health Service can continue to attract and retain top talent, safeguarding the nation’s health and well-being.
The government’s decision to prioritize healthcare staff’s financial well-being is expected to have far-reaching positive effects on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services across the UK.
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