Search the website

Proposals to restructure payscales for civilian medical practitioners

October 2008

Background
The BMA's Armed Forces Committee (AFC) has on 25 September 2008 to accept a pay deal offered to CMPs. An average pay increase of 6.7 per cent has been agreed with the MoD along with a new basic salary structure.

The new scale has 16 points where CMPs can move up to the next pay level, compared to only four previously.
Other changes include:

• A pay increase ranging from 3 to 10.3 per cent
• 3 per cent supplementary skills allowance for all accredited CMPs
• associate trainers' pay
• The pay offer will be backdated from April 1, 2008 when it is paid in the new year.
• The offer includes the 2.2% pay increase awarded by the DDRB

The AFC has also commenced negotiations on further improvements including:

Length of pay spine
The AFC has proposed that the pay spine is increased to a 30 point scale. The committee believes a thirty point scale would be a better comparison to uniformed colleagues and provide an improved progression incentive and allow progression for those at the top of the current scale who often have the most experience and responsibility and who are currently unrecognised. MoD have consistently refused to consider this proposal, citing their legal advice. However, AFC only accepted the proposal on the condition that this issue could be re-visited at a later stage.

Remuneration for enhanced clinical output and management output
The MoD has agreed to engage with the AFC on remuneration for enhanced clinical output and management output over the coming months. The AFC believes that it is imperative that the implementation of this new offer is not further delayed and therefore has agreed to continue negotiations with the MoD once the first stage of the contract is implemented.

Other payments
The AFC recognises the importance of other payments in particular for those CMPs based overseas who have many additional responsibilities and have asked assurances from the MoD that discussions can commence on remuneration for additional payments for example for out-of-hours, on-call and overtime work as well as study leave as soon as possible.

Civilian doctors conference 5 November 2008
This conference will offer an opportunity to feedback your comments and suggestions. We urge you to attend the conference to make your voice heard. Read more about the Civilian Doctors conference.

Please contact the AFC secretariat with any comments or for a full copy of the BMA response.