NHS pay rise statement | Association of Anaesthetists

NHS pay rise statement

NHS pay rise statement

Friday 23 July 2021

The Association of Anaesthetists welcomes the UK Government’s decision to raise the pay of some of our members by more than previously proposed 1%. 

However, we think the Government needs to go further. We join the BMA and other national organisations in their disappointment that this will not be offered to trainee anaesthetists or SAS anaesthetists who are moving to the new national contracts. They should be treated the same as the consultant workforce and receive the full 3% increase.

All anaesthetists, regardless of grade, like all in the NHS, went above and beyond the call of duty during this pandemic in order to save lives. The Government should properly thank and praise staff for their actions. In particular, trainee and SAS anaesthetists changed job patterns and descriptions at short notice and were often at the acute end of care during the pandemic. To not treat them fairly would be unjust. The psychological burden and mental health effects on NHS staff must also be recognised, and the Association will continue to raise this. 

We are also concerned that the funding for this increase will be coming out of existing NHS budgets, at a time when the NHS is under immense strain. We ask the Government to reconsider, to fund this pay rise through central funds and show equipoise when dealing with trainee and SAS anaesthetists. 

Association of Anaesthetists

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