The British Medical Association (BMA) and Hospital Consultants
and Specialists Association (HCSA) will put the consultants
offer forward for a vote in the coming weeks
Offer invests in modernising the consultants’ pay structure –
reducing the number of pay points and the time it takes to reach
the top
The offer will also deliver reform to reflect modern ways of
working, such as enhanced shared parental leave
The government and unions representing consultant doctors in
England have reached an agreement to put a revised offer to union
members following constructive negotiations.
The British Medical Association (BMA) and Hospital Consultants
and Specialists Association (HCSA) will recommend the offer
to their members and put it forward for a vote in the coming
weeks.
Constructive talks between the government and the unions were
re-opened last month and all parties negotiated in good faith
after the initial offer was narrowly rejected. This revised
offer represents a good deal for doctors, a good deal for
patients and a good deal for taxpayers – it will improve
equalities by mitigating the gender pay gap and deliver much
needed reform.
The government’s position remains that the headline pay uplift
for 2023-24 was settled through the pay review body process. This
updated offer adds further clarity and specificity to the
original one, as well as addressing some of the concerns that
consultants have raised. For example, it continues to invest
in modernising the consultants’ pay structure – reducing the
number of pay points and the time it takes to reach the
top.
It also provides greater clarity on the pay progression
arrangements, more details on reform of the Review Body on
Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) to ensure unions have
confidence in the process, and a consolidated uplift for those in
years 4 to 7 of the contract.
Prime Minister said:
“Ending strike action in the NHS is vital if we want to cut
waiting lists and make sure patients are getting the care they
deserve.
“This improved offer demonstrates that we are seeking a fair
agreement that is good for consultants, good for patients, and
good for the taxpayer.”
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“I hugely value the work of NHS consultants and am glad that
unions are recommending this revised offer to their members –
they clearly recognise the various benefits it offers.
“If accepted, it will modernise pay structures - directly
addressing gender pay issues in the NHS - and enhance
consultants’ parental leave options.
“It paves the way to ending industrial action by consultants
following many weeks of constructive dialogue and represents a
good offer for consultants, patients and the taxpayer.”
The core contract for consultants has not been updated for 20
years and this offer will deliver reform to reflect modern ways
of working, such as enhanced shared parental leave, in line with
other NHS staff.
The pay scale reforms will also help mitigate the gender pay gap
by delivering a key recommendation made by Professor Dame Jane
Dacre in her review on the gender pay
gap in medicine.
To enable these reforms, unions have agreed to end Local Clinical
Excellence Awards (LCEAs) going forward - an employer-level bonus
scheme - which have been seen to contribute to pay
inequalities.
No strike action for consultants will be called by the BMA
consultant and HCSA executive committees while members are being
consulted. The BMA has also agreed to end the use of
its rate card - which advises doctors on how much to charge for
non-contractual work, including cover during strikes.
Moving forward, the NHS Long Term Workforce
Plan will support the NHS to address existing vacancies
and meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population by
training, recruiting and retaining hundreds of thousands more
staff over the next 15 years - backed by more than £2.4 billion
in government investment.
The government has listened carefully to the concerns of
consultants and their representatives - particularly around
retention, motivation and morale. This offer has been carefully
balanced to meet those concerns but also to ensure value for the
taxpayer. If accepted, it will come into effect from 1 March
2024.
