Senior doctors' significant pay increase creates tension within NHS
The recent decision by Health Secretary Victoria Atkins to offer senior NHS doctors, known as consultants, a substantial pay raise has backfired, causing unrest among other healthcare staff. This effort aimed to conclude a year of debilitating strikes across England.
Atkins, leveraging her previous Treasury ties, secured an unexpected deal with the British Medical Association (BMA), proposing a near 5% pay increase for consultants following an earlier 6% hike. This could lead to a nearly 20% salary boost for some by the end of 2023-24.
However, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) expressed outrage over this disparity, as nurses and other non-doctor health staff only received a 5% rise and a one-time bonus. RCN leader Pat Cullen has urged for renegotiation, fearing this move will not ease existing tensions.
Matters worsened when parallel pay discussions with junior doctors crumbled, with BMA representatives claiming the 3% offer was inadequate. They demand a 35% increase, claiming their pay hasn't matched inflation since 2008.
Atkins was reportedly disappointed by the junior doctors' reaction. Insiders argue the government's offer was initially generous. Notably, junior doctors received a nearly 9% rise earlier, contrasting with the universal 6% for consultants.
The consultants' pay deal also entails contract reforms, suggesting less varied pay progression. Thus, some may see over a 10% pay increase this year, while those in the middle experience nearly 20% growth, leaving some with just the previous 6% rise.
Despite adding about 4.95% to consultants' basic pay from January, the drawback includes phasing out certain awards, potentially affecting newer consultants.
The BMA, faced with the complexity of the deal and its varied implications, refrains from endorsing the offer to its members.
Amidst the ongoing disagreement, over one million appointments and procedures have been canceled due to strikes, with the impact on patients intensifying during the January walkouts, a highly stressful time for the NHS.
However, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) expressed outrage over this disparity, as nurses and other non-doctor health staff only received a 5% rise and a one-time bonus. RCN leader Pat Cullen has urged for renegotiation, fearing this move will not ease existing tensions.
Matters worsened when parallel pay discussions with junior doctors crumbled, with BMA representatives claiming the 3% offer was inadequate. They demand a 35% increase, claiming their pay hasn't matched inflation since 2008.
Atkins was reportedly disappointed by the junior doctors' reaction. Insiders argue the government's offer was initially generous. Notably, junior doctors received a nearly 9% rise earlier, contrasting with the universal 6% for consultants.
The consultants' pay deal also entails contract reforms, suggesting less varied pay progression. Thus, some may see over a 10% pay increase this year, while those in the middle experience nearly 20% growth, leaving some with just the previous 6% rise.
Despite adding about 4.95% to consultants' basic pay from January, the drawback includes phasing out certain awards, potentially affecting newer consultants.
The BMA, faced with the complexity of the deal and its varied implications, refrains from endorsing the offer to its members.
Amidst the ongoing disagreement, over one million appointments and procedures have been canceled due to strikes, with the impact on patients intensifying during the January walkouts, a highly stressful time for the NHS.