DDRB review ‘drives down real pay’, BMA says

The British Medical Association (BMA) has accused the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) of using its recommendations as ‘a cover’ for driving down front-line salaries.

The news come as the national review pay body’s report has recommended a one per cent pay rise for frontline staff.

However, the BMA has warned the small increase will do nothing to offshoot the cost of living, plummeting moral and soaring demand.

Dr Mark Porter, BMA council chair, said: “The DDRB is recommending just a 1 per cent pay uplift for doctors, well below the current cost of living rise of 2.3 per cent. In real terms, doctors’ pay has sharply declined in the past five years, with junior doctors seeing their income drop by 17 per cent at a time when their morale has been badly hit by the Government’s mishandling of the new contract. Over the same period consultants have seen their pay drop by 14 per cent and GPs by 13 per cent.

“Doctors will be angered by this apparent decision as it comes during a period when many are working harder than ever before in an environment of rising patient demand, stagnating budgets and staff shortages.

“Hospital doctors and GPs are bearing the brunt of the funding crisis facing the NHS, and are choosing to leave. This is where rota gaps, consultant vacancies and closed GP practices start. While targeted incentives of the kind proposed in this report might sound positive, they do not ultimately address the serious overall problems that are widespread throughout the country. The health service needs a proper, long-term workforce plan and not piecemeal initiatives that offer only a short-term fix.

“We will analyse the DDRB report in detail, but these initial indications will come as a bitter blow to a workforce already wondering whether the government knows or cares about the demoralising effect of year-on-year pay cuts.”