05.10.12
NHS Employers warns against increasing doctors’ pay
An increase in pay scales for doctors could divert money away from patient services, jeopardising quality of care and making the challenge of finding £20bn in efficiencies even tougher.
In evidence to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body, NHS Employers calls for a continuation of pay freezes and a move to link progression to performance rather than the number of years a doctor has worked.
The earnings of individual doctors have increased between 3 and 8% per year through incremental pay increases and progression through training.
NHS Employers states that the remuneration package, including pension and non-pay benefits, remains “highly competitive”.
Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers, said: “Everyone, including doctors, knows these are challenging times for us all. The simple truth is that NHS organisations cannot afford an unnecessary increase in doctors' pay rates over the next year without it impacting on patient care.
“Sixty five pence of every NHS pound is spent on staff and they do a tremendous job. We must however make sure that we get the best possible value for the money we have available to us. We need to achieve a balance among the interests of patients, taxpayers and staff.
“If we do increase pay, we risk serious consequences for the sustainability of some NHS services and their responsiveness to local needs. It will mean less investment for patient services and a greater risk of NHS job losses.”
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