JUNIOR DOCTORS/DENTISTS/GP TRAINEES
In 1991 the New Deal for Doctors in Training was introduced with a view to reducing the number of hours that these staff worked or were on duty in hospitals. In 2000 new contract arrangements were implemented which changed the way that doctors were remunerated by introducing a pay banding system.
Since 2000 Boards have been working to comply with the New Deal and the European Working Time Regulations, which were fully implemented from August 2009. Compliance with both sets of regulations is now at record levels.
Contractual arrangements for this group of staff are now the subject of a UK level scoping study, and MSG have been tasked with providing the Scottish contribution to this study.
UK Scoping Study on Junior Doctors Contractual Arrangements
Over the last few years the BMA’s Junior Doctors have expressed the view that their contractual arrangements should be reviewed. The UK Health Departments have agreed to carry out a scoping study which will critique the existing contractual arrangements with a view to establishing whether there is a need for change. The scoping study will also look at what the nature of any amended contractual arrangements might be.
In the remit for this scoping study NHS Employers, and the Health Departments and employers in the devolved administrations, are asked to consider:
- the current contractual arrangements for doctors and dentists in hospital training (the New Deal Contract introduced in 2000), identifying issues, strengths and weaknesses with clear evidence of all findings;
- evidence on the financial and other consequences of keeping the current contractual arrangements in place, and amending them;
- an appraisal of possible changes to the contractual arrangements, including a full assessment of all related costs, including pension costs for both employer and employee, and the cost of reform itself (which should begin from the assumption that any changes should be achieved with overall cost neutrality); a full assessment of the value-for-money gain of any potential reform in both cost and productivity terms;
- and the interface with contractual arrangements for doctors and dentists in the practice/community settings of GP or dental vocational training.
Scotland’s contribution to the scoping study was produced by MSG. The work was led by the MSG Pay Unit, which set up two expert groups to produce our contribution. Firstly, the Finance and TCS Group composed of finance and medical staffing personnel from the service who have worked with officials from SGHD’s Workforce and Analytical Services Divisions. The project was overseen by an Executive Steering Group composed of senior HR, medical management and finance staff as well as SGHD officials. An initial report was provided to the Department of Health in England in January 2010. A final report has been completed and will now be passed to UK Health Ministers for consideration.
Current Work Streams
In May 2009 the Department of Health commissioned NHS Employers (NHSe) to conduct work to look at the effectiveness and value for money of the current contractual arrangements for doctors in training. A UK wide approach to this work was agreed with the Health Departments in the devolved administrations.
It was subsequently agreed that the work should be split into two parts. An initial report which critiqued the existing arrangements and put forward some broad principles which could underpin any new arrangements was passed to the UK Health Departments in February 2010. The final report has been completed and is currently with UK Health Ministers for their consideration. It is hoped that an announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.
Scottish employers, through MSG and SGHD Workforce and Analytical Services have worked together closely on this project and have been heavily involved at UK level in the formulation of the scoping study to date.
New Deal for Junior Doctors
Key Documents – Circulars and Guidance
Junior Doctors Pay Scales 2023/24
PCS Circulars
PCS(DD)2019/3
Pay and Conditions for Hospital Medical and Dental staff and Doctors and Dentists in Public Health Medicine and the Community Health Service: Junior Doctors transferring to Scotland from the rest of the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Pay and conditions for hospital medical and dental staff and doctors and dentists in public health medicine and the community health service: introduction of Specialty Registrar (StR) Grade including Fixed Term Specialty Training Appointments (StR (FT))
Pay and conditions for hospital medical and dental staff and doctors and dentists in public health medicine and the community health service: rates of pay for locum appointments for service in the specialty registrar grade; amendments to terms and conditions of service and guidance on pay on return to training for doctors in career grades
Pay and conditions for hospital medical and dental staff and doctors and dentists in public health medicine and the community health service: changes to maternity leave and pay arrangements, parental and carers leave provisions and flexible working arrangements
Pay and conditions for hospital medical and dental staff and doctors and dentists in public health medicine and the community health service; revised rates of pay for Specialty Registrar (StR) Grade including Fixed Term Specialty Training Appointments (StR (FT))
Mileage allowances
Pay and Conditions of Service. Remuneration fo Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and Doctors and Dentists in Public Health Medicine and the Community Health Service – Increases to national Salary Scales 2010-2011; Uplifts to fees and allowance.
Relocation and Excess Travel Expenses: Doctors in Training Grades
Relocation and Excess Travel Expenses: Training Grades
Terms and Conditions of Service: Consultants (Scotland) (2004), Specialty Doctors (Scotland) 2008, Associate Specialist (Scotland) (2008), NHS Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and Doctors and Dentists in Public Health Medicine and the Community Health Service (Scotland).
CEL Circulars
Modernising Medical Careers: Human Resources aspects of foundation and specialty training programme
Work permit categories and recruitment to training posts within NHSScotland
Junior Doctors Banding Appeals: Good Practice Guidance for Junior Doctors and Employers
CEL(2007)01 Corrigendum
corrigendum Modernising Medical Careers: Human Resources aspects of foundation and specialty training programmes
Modernising Medical Careers: Human Resources aspects of foundation and speciality training programmes
GP Trainees
Guidance on the operation of the GP Registrar Scheme in Scotland: pay, accommodation, removal and associated expenses of GP Specialty Registrars in general practice.
Pay uplift for GP Specialty Registrars in General Practice 2010-2011
Guidance on the operation of the GP Registrar Scheme in Scotland; pay, accommodation, removal and associated expenses of GP Specialty Registrars in general practice – change of employer responsibility.
Pay uplift for GP Specialty Registrars in General Practice 2013-14.
PCS(GPR)2014/1
Pay uplift for GP Specialty Registrars in General Practice 2014-15.
Pay and Conditions for General Practitioner Specialty Registrars (GPStR’s) in Scotland
PCS(DD)(2016)1 plus PCS(DD)(2016)1 Addendum
Pay and Conditions for General Practitioner Speciality Registrars (GPStR’s in Scotland
PCS(DD)2018 02 plus Addendum to PCS(DD)2018(2)
Pay and Conditions for General Practitioner Speciality Registrars (GPStR’s) in Scotland
PCS(DD)2020/2 plus Addendum
Pay and Conditions for GP Specialty Registrars in Scotland.
Partnership Working
Scotland
MSG /SJDC meeting – Regular meetings take place involving Scottish employers, SGHD officials, and the BMA’s Scottish Junior Doctors Committee to discuss matters of concern in relation to the pay, terms and conditions of doctors in training.
UK
Joint Negotiating Committee (Juniors) – Contractual matters for junior doctors are in the main determined at UK level as the contractual arrangements for this group of staff are common across the UK. This committee brings together employers across the four UK countries, officials from the devolved administrations, and the BMA’s UK Junior Doctors Committee to discuss matters of common concern in relation to the pay and terms and conditions of doctors in training.
