After weeks of negotiations and disputes, junior and specialist doctors in Wales have accepted the pay offers put forth by the Welsh Government.
The British Medical Association (BMA), representing consultants, junior doctors, and SAS (specialist, associate specialist, and specialty doctors), announced on Friday that its members in Wales have voted in favor of the deals, ending three separate disputes that have been ongoing.
Sign up for All About Newtown Daily
Our new free daily information email service. Sign up below by entering your email address.
In a referendum, 96% of junior doctors supported and accepted a 7.4% additional uplift, bringing the total to a 12.4% uplift for the 23/24 financial year, with retroactive effect from April 2023.
Consultants also saw significant progress with 86% voting to accept a revised consultant pay scale aimed at improving early years pay and enhancing career average pay to retain senior doctors in the workforce.
Meanwhile, 82% of SAS members endorsed the offer, which includes raises ranging from 6.1-9.2%, along with an extra uplift for associate specialists.
Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey, co-chairs of the BMA’s Welsh junior doctors committee, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the vote reflects their commitment to fighting for the profession.
Dr Stephen Kelly, chairman of BMA Cymru Wales’s consultants committee, emphasized the importance of the fair settlement for senior doctors, stating that it will aid in retaining and attracting medical professionals in Wales, ultimately benefiting patients.
Dr Ali Nazir, chair of BMA Cymru Wales’s SAS doctor committee, highlighted the long-overlooked contributions of SAS doctors and welcomed the fairer deal, pledging to continue advocating for their rights.
The acceptance of the pay offers comes as junior doctors in England engage in a separate five-day strike over pay disputes.
While progress has been made in Wales, the healthcare professionals stress that the fight for full pay restoration is ongoing, echoing their determination to ensure fair compensation for all doctors.
