Following discussions between Scottish Government and BMA Scotland’s SAS Committee an offer was presented to BMA members. This consisted of:
- A flat 6% uplift applied to Specialty Doctors on both 2008 and 2022 contracts, and Associate Specialist pay points.
- An increase in pay rates for the Specialist Doctor Grade to bring them in line with the rates in England.
BMA put this offer out to their members with a neutral recommendation. In the consultative ballot, which closed on 27 January 2025 the offer was accepted by 58.4% of those who voted based on a turnout of 58.9%.
In addition to the pay talks the Scottish Government agreed that there should be discussions in two areas, these being:
- Development of an agreed policy which would provide a mechanism to facilitate the potential regrading of Specialty Doctors to Specialist Doctors. This policy should fit the service and workforce needs of NHS Scotland and be complementary, where appropriate, with other UK nations.
- Discussions to agree a national rate for internal short-term cover.
These discussions are to be conducted through a task and finish group under the JNC (Scotland) framework and are expected to conclude in 2025/26.
