Resident doctors re-enter pay dispute over ‘delay’ to DDRB report

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By Daniel Pye

Resident doctors in England have re-entered a dispute with the government after a "disappointing delay" to the pay recommendation report.

Both the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government have been waiting for The Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists Remuneration (DDRB) report to be released, which will advise ministers on pay.

One of the government’s commitments to resolve pay disputes with the association involves the recommendations being published by the start of the financial year on 6 April, the BMA’s resident doctors committee (RDC) has said.

The RDC has now voted in favour of going back into dispute, the first step before potentially balloting members for industrial action.

As part of pay negotiations last year, the Labour government committed to implementing the outcome of the DDRB report earlier in the year, ideally so it is known at the start of the year’s pay round. It said it "would use its best endeavours to meet” an earlier timetable.