Mark Drakeford, Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
I wish to express my gratitude to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) for their 43rd report and note its recommendations and observations.
The Welsh Government provided a remit on appropriate uplifts for the two independent contractor groups only - general medical practitioners (GMPs) and general dental practitioners (GDPs).This approach was mirrored in England and Northern Ireland.
In respect of the recommendations from the DDRB for 2015-16:
- For GMPs, I have agreed to accept the recommendation in respect of the uplift for GP pay, net of expenses, of 1% for 2015-16. I have therefore decided GPs in Wales will receive an overall uplift of 1.16% for pay and expenses, which replicates the uplift in England.
- For GDPs, I have agreed to accept the recommendation in respect of the uplift for GDP pay, net of expenses, of 1%. After applying broadly the same formula approach as 2014-15 to allow for practice costs and other expenses, I have therefore decided to increase the value of dental contracts by 1.34%.
- For salaried GPs, I have agreed to increase the minimum and maximum of the salary range by 1%
There was no remit provided in relation to doctors and dentists employed by NHS in Wales. For 2015-16, the approach that was taken in 2014 will be maintained. Therefore doctors in training, SAS doctors and consultants at the top of the scale (top of the commitment award scale for consultants) will receive a 2% non-consolidated payment for the financial year 2015-16, although doctors and dentists who moved to the top increment of the pay scale during 2014-15 will only receive a 1% non-consolidated payment. This again is consistent with the approach taken in England.
There will be no pay award for Executive Senior Posts (formally known as Very Senior Managers) for 2015/16.
Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration 43rd Report: 2015 (external link)