BMA angered by below inflation pay offer

BMA leaders have reacted angrily to what they describe as “unacceptable” below inflation pay rises for doctors working in the NHS.⇓

Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA, warned of doctors’ “anger and disappointment” at the government’s decision to accept in full the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration for 2008-9.

This was for a 2.2% pay rise for hospital doctors and doctors in training, and a similar amount for GPs. The BMA says that the rise is below the level of inflation, which is 2.5%.

The government has also refused to compensate first year junior doctors for the loss of free accommodation. The BMA had asked that new junior doctors be given between £400 (€500; $800) and £600 a month to meet the extra accommodation costs after changes to the Medical Act 1983, which mean that juniors no longer need to be resident in the hospital in …