The Scottish Government has accepted the six per cent pay increase for senior NHS staff recommended by the independent Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body (DDRB). This marks the biggest pay uplift since devolution for senior medical and dental staff.
The award will mean NHS Scotland senior medical and dental staff, general medical practitioners, and general dental practitioners will receive a six per cent pay increase for this year, backdated to April 1, 2023.
Michael Matheson, the health secretary, said, “The NHS has faced substantial challenges over the last few years, and staff have been working tirelessly to continue to provide care while under increased pressure. This award demonstrates the value we have for all our senior medical and dental staff and the invaluable contribution they make.
“It’s crucial that we continue to not only recruit and build our future NHS workforce but also retain expertise within and this award will mean our staff remain the best paid in the UK – and an overall minimum increase of 10.5 per cent over the past two years.
“We continue to negotiate with BMA Scotland Junior Doctors Committee and hope to reach a separate pay settlement for 2023/24 for junior doctors soon.”
The six per cent pay uplift will be applied to all senior NHS Medical and Dental staffing grades.
The Scottish Government, BDA Scotland and other relevant bodies all participated and provided evidence to the DDRB to allow them to make their independent recommendations.
The 2023 award builds on the 4.5 per cent pay uplift awarded in 2022. This means staff have received a minimum 10.5 per cent pay increase over the last two years.