NHS consultants in Scotland have accepted a 10.5% pay increase, which will see their annual salaries rise by £10,000 to £13,500. The £124.9 million deal, offered by the Scottish government, will be backdated to 1 April 2024 and brings Scotland in line with recent agreements in other parts of the UK.
The British Medical Association (BMA) welcomed the agreement, stating that it would help ensure Scotland remains “an attractive place for consultants to work.” In addition to the basic pay uplift, £5.7 million will be invested in other contractual elements, making the overall package equivalent to an 11% increase.
Health Secretary Neil Gray expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “I am very pleased that the consultants have voted to accept our pay offer. This will ensure that our consultant workforce feel valued, supported and fairly rewarded.”
He also thanked consultants for their dedication and patience during negotiations. Dr. Alan Robertson, chairman of the BMA’s Scottish consultant committee, described the deal as an “important first step” in addressing pay erosion for consultants.
He emphasised that while this agreement is a positive development, more work is needed to restore pay levels and address the impact of inflation and previous poor pay awards. Dr. Robertson added that the deal should mark the beginning of a broader effort to improve consultant pay in Scotland.
