Rishi Sunak has said the Government has put forward a new “fair deal” in the hope of ending strikes by senior doctors.
The Government has offered consultants a 4.95 percent pay boost, on top of the 6 percent pay increase they received this financial year.
While the offer is generous, the Government has demanded pay scale reforms, focusing on measures that will address consultant contracts.
Ministers argued that the core contract for consultants has not been updated for 20 years, and it’s now time for modernisation.
Such changes will include offering enhanced shared parental leave, but will reduce the number of pay points and the “time it takes to reach the top” of pay bands.
Finally the Government wants consultant pay bands to “ensure there is a clearer link between pay progression and evidence of skills, competencies and experience”.
The British Medical Association (BMA) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) will put the offer to their members for a vote in the coming weeks.
The reforms to pay scales would take effect from January next year.
Commenting on the pay offer, Rishi Sunak said it is a “fair deal for consultants who will benefit from major reform to their contract”.
“It is fair for taxpayers because it will not risk our ongoing work to tackle inflation, and most importantly it is a good deal for patients to see the end of consultant industrial action.”
The PM added: “Ending damaging strike action in the NHS is vitally important if we want to continue making progress towards cutting waiting lists while making sure patients get the care they deserve”.
Victoria Atkins, who was appointed Health and Social Care Secretary in Mr Sunak’s latest reshuffle, said she is “pleased” to have been able to make “this fair and reasonable offer after weeks of constructive negotiations”.
“If accepted, it will modernise pay structures, directly addressing gender pay issues in the NHS. It will also enhance consultants’ parental leave options.
“Putting an end to this strike action will support our efforts to bring down waiting lists and offer patients the highest quality care.”
The HCSA has said they will neither endorse the offer, nor encourage members to vote against it.
The Government is still in pay negotiations with junior doctors’ unions.
Strikes by NHS staff have reportedly caused over one million cancelled treatments and appointments.
Union walkouts have thus far cost the health service £1 billion in premium payments and preparation.
