Doctors' pay should increase in line with wider economy

The British Medical Association has said that doctors' pay should at least be increased in line with the wider economy in order to tackle the current recruitment and retention issues facing the profession.

In its submission to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body, the BMA said all doctors should have their pay increase in line with the Retail Price Index, plus £800 or two per cent, whichever is greater. Unless their is action, the association warns that ‘poor morale, recruitment and retention will continue to blight the health service’.

Since 2008, consultants have seen a 19 per cent fall in pay, junior doctors 21 per cent and GPs 20 per cent.

Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said: “Delivering a world-class health service requires a workforce that feels motivated and supported to provide the best-possible care for patients. However, all doctors have seen a significant fall in real-terms pay since 2008. While the BMA understands the economic constraints facing the health service, years of real-terms cuts to frontline staff pay undermines the excellent work from hardworking doctors and leaves them feeling demoralised and undervalued.

“Doctors should be treated in line with the wider economy where pay settlements run at 60 per cent higher than the current public-sector policy cap, which is why are we recommending that the DDRB uplift the pay of all doctors across the UK in line with the RPI plus £800 or two per cent, whichever is greater. Out of the 10 pay review body occupations doctors have seen the biggest fall in real earnings. Because of this, we are also asking the DDRB to find a way to close the gap that has emerged in doctors' pay over the long-term. Failure to do so will only exacerbate current recruitment and retention issues facing the profession.”