Feb 22 2005
The British Medical Association commented below on below-average* pay rises for doctors.
Consultants who have decided not to move onto a new contract will receive a pay rise of 3%. Mr Clive Davis, chairman of the BMA's Scottish Consultants Committee, said: "It is clear that consultants who have made the decision to stay on their old contracts are being punished. This group of NHS staff who work round the clock to improve services for patients are receiving the message that they are worth less than colleagues doing the same job."
Pay for doctors in training will rise by 3%. Dr Chris McCullough, joint chairman of the BMA's Scottish Junior Doctors Committee, said: "At a time when Scotland needs to retain and recruit more doctors, I fail to understand the logic of this move. Below average pay rise only encourages junior doctors to be tempted to abandon medicine in favour of a more lucrative career."
Doctors in the staff and associate specialist (SAS) grades are to receive a pay rise of 3.225%. Dr John Carruthers, chairman of the BMA's Scottish Staff and Associate Specialists Committee said: "SAS doctors have not had a significant pay rise for years and many are already leaving A&E departments for more lucrative work. This award will do nothing to assist in the recruitment and retention of this important group which make up 25% of Scotland's senior hospital and community doctors and dentists. The BMA is about to start negotiating a new contract for SAS doctors and we look forward to significant improvements soon."
*The whole economy average earnings index is currently rising at a rate of 4.5%. Pay rises for doctors, recommended today by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body and accepted by the government, range from 3% to 3.225%