Updates to the consultant 2003 contract and model contract
Today (12 May 2025), we have published the Pay and Conditions Circular (M&D) 1-2025, which notifies NHS employers in England of the changes to the Terms and Conditions – Consultants (England) 2003. This includes changes to Schedule 15 - pay thresholds and Schedule 30 - clinical excellence awards, and the model contract.
In April 2024, consultants accepted a pay deal which included the following elements:
- reform of the consultant (2003 contract) pay scale
- shared parental leave
- a new pay progression process
- an end to annual local clinical excellence award rounds with effect from 1 April 2024.
The updated schedules detailed below conclude the final phase of implementing the consultant pay deal.
Schedule 15 - pay thresholds
The change removes annex C, which included the previous pay progression arrangements that ended on 31st March 2025. Employers are required to follow the new pay progression process. We have also developed pay progression guidance for employers to use in implementing the new pay progression process.
Schedule 30 – clinical excellence awards
Schedule 30 has been amended in order to reflect the end of the entitlement to access an annual local clinical excellence award round with effect from 1 April 2024. The remainder of the content of Schedule 30 has not been reviewed.
Download the following updated documents from our consultant contract web page:
- Terms and Conditions – Consultants (England) 2003 version 16
- model contract
- record of amendments.
