This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS pay deal announced
01/03/2007
The annual NHS Pay Review Body process has now concluded and pay rises for NHS staff for 2007-08 have been agreed.
In 2007-08 NHS staff will be paid at the levels of award recommended by independent Health Pay Review Bodies for Doctors, Dentists, Nurses and Other Health Professionals.
Where the level of award recommended by the Pay Review bodies exceeds the government's recommendations to these bodies, the awards will be phased in, with 1.5percent paid from 1st April and the remainder paid from November. Awards at, or below, the government evidence will be paid in full from 1st April
The major part of the awards will, therefore, be paid from 1 April 2007 with the remainder paid from November 2007.
The Executive's decision as regards the various staff groups covered by the Pay Review Bodies is as follows:
- Nurses and Other Health Professions - 2.5 per cent, (with 1.5 per cent paid from 1 April, and the remainder paid from November.)
- A cash amount of #1,000 per annum, to be added to each point in the pay scale for consultants, staff and associate specialists/non-career grades (SAS/NCCGs) and salaried dentists.
- A cash amount of #650 per annum to be added to each point on the pay scale for doctors and dentists in hospital training.
- General Practitioners will receive a 0 per cent uplift
Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"We are pleased to announce that we have this year been able to accept and implement the pay uplift levels recommended by the Health Pay Review Bodies for the year 2007-08. These recommendations do acknowledge that there are a number of pressures on the NHS budget both in Scotland and across the UK and the manner in which the awards are implemented needs to take account of these pressures.
"That is why it has been decided on a UK basis and across all the groups covered by Review Bodies, except the armed forces, that the awards should be phased, with the greatest part paid from 1 April and the remainder paid from November.
"Today's announcements of pay awards across the public sector strike a balance between fairness and discipline in the fight against inflation. We have aimed to ensure that they are affordable within existing spending limits and consistent with continuing control of public finances. The awards also reflect the tremendous efforts NHS Scotland staff makes for our National Health Service, in improving patient care and in meeting our targets."