Vaughan Gething, has today announced a new pay deal for doctors and dentists in Wales, which includes a higher salary increase than the deal agreed in England.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Mr Gething has confirmed that the Welsh Government has agreed in full the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB):
- a 2% base increase for salaried doctors and dentists, salaried General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) and independent contractor GMPs and General Dental Practitioners (GDPs)
- an additional 2% for independent contractor GMPs, salaried GMPs and to the GMP trainers’ grant and the GMP appraisers’ rate
- an additional 1.5% for Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors.
“I am pleased to announce today that I have been able to implement the recommendations of the DDRB in full.
This pay rise, which will be backdated to 1 April 2018, recognises the value and dedication of hardworking doctors and dentists and their key contribution to the NHS in Wales. This deal goes beyond what was agreed for doctors and dentists over the border and is yet another reason why Wales is a great place to train, work and live.”
Mr Gething added:
“Following years of austerity, imposed by the UK Government, we have committed additional funding to fulfil the DDRB recommendations. The reality remains, however, that our budgets are limited and so meeting a pay deal resulting from the lifting of the UK Government’s pay cap without appropriate funding to follow presents a risk to the future funding of NHS Wales.
“I am also very happy that BMA Cymru Wales have agreed work in partnership with the Welsh Government and NHS employers to deliver the ambitions set out in A Healthier Wales, around the long term sustainability of the workforce, and delivery of the Primary Care Model for Wales.
“Together with our recent agreement on a pay rise for the rest of the NHS Wales workforce, this shows we are committed to investing in staff to ensure they can continue to deliver excellent health and social care. Together with recruitment campaigns like Train, Work, Live this will help us create a workforce that can deliver our long-term vision for the NHS in Wales.”