SAS doctors vote on new pay deal

Stock image. iStock.com/sturti

By Erin Dean

Specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in England can vote from Friday on whether to accept an improved pay offer from the government.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is recommending that doctors back the deal, which will see SAS doctors on open contracts receiving an increase of up to 19% since 2022/23.

The ballot, which runs until 14 June, follows the rejection of the first offer earlier this year, by 62% of respondents. The BMA will email voting links to members on Friday 31 May.

SAS doctors have seen their real-terms pay fall by more than a quarter over the last 15 years, according to the union.

This latest offer pledges to begin addressing unfavourable differences in pay in England, which stem from SAS doctors historically being on different contracts.

Among the proposals are improvements to career progression, with an uplift of £1,400 to each pay point for SAS doctors on closed contracts.