New pay deal agreed for paramedics

The Department of Health, NHS Employers and ambulance unions have agreed paramedics will be re-banded nationally from band 5 to band 6.

The agreement will see certain paramedics in England move up the pay scale from band 5 to band 6 in recognition of the increasing responsibilities of being a modern paramedic.

Paramedics whose job description is matched to the new band 6 profile, will move from a pay scale paying from circa £21,000 to £28,000 to circa £26,000 to £35,000. New paramedics appointed after September this year will have a maximum two year consolidation of a learning period at band 5 prior to moving to band 6.

It also means paramedics will be able to earn more as they progress through the Agenda for Change pay scale.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Our dedicated paramedics do a vital job helping patients when they need it most so I’m very pleased that we have agreed a new pay deal with unions.

“In recognition of their increased responsibilities we have agreed to look at re-banding around 12,000 paramedics where their job description matches the requirements of the new band 6 profile, moving them up the pay scale and making sure we are able to better recruit and retain paramedics in the future to ensure patients will continue to get the very best care.”

Ken Wenman, lead chief executive of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, said: “Patients will undoubtedly benefit from this important decision as ambulance services across the country help to transform urgent and emergency care services in England, treating more patients outside busy hospitals.

“Under the new banding, paramedics will be expected to develop and provide the necessary skills put forward by the UECR. The UECR sets out a clear vision for the ambulance service to change from a service based on a model of transportation to one of clinical assessment and treatment. This will to help ambulance trusts to become more of a mobile treatment service that best suits patient needs.”

Paul Wallace, NHS Employers’ director of Employment, Relations and Reward, welcomed the deal: "I would like to extend my thanks to trade union colleagues for working constructively and in partnership with employers to agree a way forward for the ambulance paramedic workforce across the country, which recognises the demanding work they undertake and supports the further development of their contribution to patient care."