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Press release: NHS Employers response to BMA decision not to put proposed SAS doctors contract out to ballot20 Jul 2006 NHS Employers today said it was disappointed at the BMA's decision not to allow its members a chance to vote on a proposed new contract for staff grade and associate specialist doctors. Heather Lawrence, lead negotiator for NHS Employers, said: "We are extremely disappointed with the decision taken by the Staff and Associate Specialists Committee UK of the BMA not to give their members the opportunity to vote on the proposed summary agreement. "The proposal addresses the recommendations in the Modernising Medical Careers Choice and Opportunity report to address the concerns of these doctors. It addresses the concerns of the associate specialist doctors. It provides a pay rise, with a rise of between nine and 12% for staff grade doctors and a rise of between six and 13% for associate specialists. It offers pay protection of those transferring to the new contract. And finally, it fits with Modernising Medical Careers and gives a real opportunity for this group of doctors to be at the centre of service delivery. "We feel this is a missed opportunity for this group of doctors and the service. This proposal was the best and final offer that we could make. We believe it was an excellent deal for doctors that would improved pay and benefits, while offering good development opportunities. As a result of the decision of the Staff and Associate Specialists Committee UK, NHS Employers will now take this decision to the four UK health departments to consider the next steps. Under the Department of Health mandate, the proposed contract would have meant an extra £50 million for SAS doctors in England in 2006-7, rising to £65 million in 2007-, rising to £75 million in 2008-9. The proposal included the creation of a single grade as outlined within Modernising Medical Careers recommendations and the closure of the associate specialist grade to new entrants, with contract enhancements for those doctors who choose to remain within it. The NHS Employers proposal offered the following benefits for doctors: * Better pay with an average salary increase of between 9 to 12% for doctors in the new grade. The pay scale for the new grade would have started at 10% above the current minimum salary for staff grade doctors and extended to beyond the current maximum basic salary for an associate specialist. The NHS Employers proposal offered the following benefits for employers and patients: * An encouragement for doctors to develop their skills and deliver improved services. * Greater flexibility in arranging evening and weekend care, leading to safer patient care. * Improved ability to manage doctors' time within the medical team in ways that best meet local service needs and priorities. More efficient systems for including doctors in joint action to improve performance and enhance patient care. Notes for editorsIn January 2005 the Department of Health gave NHS Employers a mandate to negotiate with the SAS committee of the BMA on a new contract for staff grade and associate specialist doctors. The mandate came with a financial framework for England of £50 million in 2006-7, rising to £65 million in 2007-8, and £75 million in 2008-9. Negotiations began in May 2005. Any final agreement would be signed off by the four UK health departments and the Cabinet Office public sector pay forum. * NHS Employers made a formal proposal on 19 May 2006, which the BMA's negotiating team took to the Staff and Associate Specialist Committee (SASC) UK on 14 June 2006. At this meeting, SASC UK asked that negotiations continue for further clarification on a number of issues. Further discussions took place and a final proposal was presented by the BMA negotiating team to SASC UK on 19 June 2006. At that meeting, SASC UK decided not to put the proposal out to ballot among members. * Staff grade and associate specialists are hospital doctors working on national terms and conditions who make a significant contribution to healthcare in a wide range of specialties. The group includes staff grade doctors, associate specialists, non-practising GP clinical assistants and hospital practitioners, clinical medical officers and senior clinical medical officers. Contact detailsThe press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers. If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office team:
For out of hours media enquiries, please contact the duty press officer on 07880 500726. Last reviewed 21 Jul 2006 |
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