Labour Health Minister rejects Pay Review Body recommendation for striking consultants and SAS doctors

Specialists, associate specialists and speciality doctor pay in Wales has dropped by nearly a third in real terms over the last 15 years. Whilst waiting lists continue to be high, now more than ever we need to restore pay to retain and attract to the SAS workforce and protect the integrity of our profession.

https://www.bma.org.uk/our-campaigns/sas-campaigns/pay/restoring-pay-for-sas-doctors-in-wales

Commenting following his Topical Question in the Senedd on consultants and specialist, associate specialist and speciality (SAS) doctors in Wales voting for two days of strike action in April, Russell George MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister said:

“Yet more strikes, this time from senior doctors in Labour-run Wales, will place further pressure on the longest waiting lists in the UK.

“While Conservatives in England put forward substantially higher pay offers for speciality and junior doctors and have virtually resolved the pay dispute avoiding further strikes with consultants, Labour has consistently put the worst offer in the UK on the table.

“The Welsh Conservatives would spend the full Barnett uplift received for health on health and would at least match the independent recommendation, which Labour has failed to meet, instead of following Labour and Plaid’s plans to create 36 more politicians.”