Contract review

Case study

Dr X, a Locum Consultant Surgeon in General Surgery in Wales, approached MDS seeking a review of their contract and pay scale for a new Locum Consultant role at a Welsh health board. Dr X was a Locum Consultant Surgeon for three years and believed that the position in the pay scale proposed for the new role was not commensurate with their experience, which would be increasing to four years before starting in the new role.

MDS Advice & Outcome

MDS carefully considered the Dr’s circumstances, and found that both BMA guidelines and NHS Wales policies indicate that Locum Consultants are remunerated based on a fixed pay point, regardless of experience or progression.

However MDS advisors suggested that a Local Negotiating Committee (LNC) could have agreed different salary arrangements with the health board. The team advised Dr X to enquire whether such agreement is in place, as it could support their request for higher pay.

Learning points

This case highlights several key learning points on pay structures, contract negotiations, and employment transparency for locum consultants:

Doctors moving between NHS trusts should not assume automatic salary progression, as contractual terms may vary.
NHS Wales uses a fixed pay point system for locum consultants, meaning salary does not progress based on service duration or experience.
A Local Negotiating Committee (LNC) might have local agreements in place that result in different pay scales.
It is important to review and clarify contract terms before accepting a role to prevent future disagreements over salary and entitlements.

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Find yourself in a similar situation? Contact MDS as soon as possible to discuss your situation, our team will support you in making the best decision for you and your patients. Call our office on 0300 30 32 442 or email or case managers at [email protected] mentioning your membership number.

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