Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB): written evidence - 2024-2025 pay round

Letter

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery Health and Social Care

Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Ath-shlànachadh NHS, Slàinte agus Cùram Sòisealta

Neil Gray MSP

T: 0300 244 4000

E: scottish.ministers@gov.scot

5^th March, 2024

Dear Christopher

I am writing to formally set out our remit for the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) for 2024-25.

The Scottish Government has always valued the opinions and analysis offered by the DDRB and its independent review of the economic, social, and budgetary pressures facing both the NHS Medical workforce, and the 4 UK governments.

You will be aware that the Scottish draft budget was announced in the Scottish Parliament on the 19 December 2023, and that Cabinet took the decision to delay setting public sector pay metrics until after the UK Government budget, which we now know will take place on 6 March 2024. You may wish to consider this in your deliberations.

In Scotland, we agreed a separate pay deal with Junior Doctors, and that deal has elements including a commitment to develop a pay bargaining system for Junior Doctors in Scotland, as well as a commitment to enter discussions to reform the Junior

Doctors Contract. We remain committed to this agreement and will not be seeking recommendation for Junior Doctors.

You will wish to note that the BMA Scottish Consultants Committee and Scottish Speciality and Specialist Committee have informed us that both committees will not participate in the DDRB process this year, and wish to see DDRB reformed. BMA Scotland General Practitioners and BDA Scotland, however, remain within the DDRB process.

Whilst I fully recognise the position of the BMA Scottish Consultants Committee and Scottish Speciality and Specialist Committee in terms of their participation, I have taken the decision to submit a remit to the DDRB which is seeking recommendations for all Medical and Dental Craft Groups, with the exception of Junior Doctors. I will consider the DDRB recommendations as part of any decision I make on pay uplifts for NHS Scotland.

Accordingly, and in conclusion, the Scottish Government will provide a written evidence document, and we would be pleased to hear the DDRB views regarding a recommendation for one year only (2024-25). This will be for all medical and dental staff in NHS Scotland with the exception of Junior Doctors.

Copies of this letter will be sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the respective Ministers in the devolved governments as well as representatives of the Staff Side and NHS Employers.

Neil Gray