Senior Doctors in England Accept Government Pay Deal
Senior doctors in England, including SAS doctors, have accepted a government pay offer, ending their dispute ahead of a planned junior doctors' strike. The deal includes up to a 19.4% pay rise, contract reform, and career progression changes. Dr. Ujjwala Mohite of the BMA's SAS Committee and Health Secretary Victoria Atkins both commented positively on the agreement.
Senior doctors in England, including those classified as specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors, have accepted a government pay offer.
SAS doctors, who have completed junior doctor training but are not consultants or GPs, joined their consultant colleagues in ending the dispute without having taken strike action.
The pay deal promises up to 19.4% increases, contract reform, and changes to career progression.
This development comes ahead of a planned five-day strike by junior doctors, who are demanding a 35% pay rise due to perceived inadequate adjustments for inflation over the past 15 years.
Junior doctors received an average nearly 9% pay rise last financial year.
The dispute has involved around 13,000 SAS doctors in the NHS in England.
Dr. Ujjwala Mohite of the BMA’s SAS Committee highlighted it as significant progress for SAS doctors.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins praised the deal as fair and urged junior doctors to call off their planned strike.
Pay disputes continue in Northern Ireland and Wales, with new offers under consideration.