In line with the rest of the public sector, the implementation of awards over 1.5 per cent will be staged, with 1.5 per cent paid at 1 April 2007 and the remainder being paid from 1 November.
The pay awards, which are for the year 2007/2008, follow the recommendations made by the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body and the Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals Review Body.
The Minister said: “Healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland will receive the same pay increases as their colleagues in the NHS. Overall earnings growth in the health and social care service will be around 4.5 per cent in 2007/08 as a result of this pay award, the Government’s pay reforms and opportunities for career progression.
“I appreciate that nurses and other health professions would prefer to have the complete award right away, however, nurses in particular, can expect their average earnings to rise by 4.9 per cent next year. It is also expected that inflation across the year will be lower than it is now.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520571 or 02890 522841
2. The main pay review body recommendations are:
- 2.5% pay increase for nurses and other healthcare professionals (ie Nurses and other Healthcare Professions Pay Review Body (NOHPRB) represents Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors, Allied Health Professions, Health Care Science Professions, Pharmacists, Optometrists, Applied Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Clinical Support workers and technicians supporting these groups).
- A flat rate of £1,000 pa for hospital doctors and £650 pa for hospital doctors and dentists in training, giving an average of 2 per cent across all groups:
- this will give increases ranging from 0.6% to 1.4% for consultants (0.6 % to the highest paid consultants);
- a 3.1% for doctors in their first post (Foundation House Officers);
- 1.5% to 2.2% for Specialist Registrars;
- 1.7% to 3.2% for staff grade doctors; and
- 1.3% to 2.9% for associate specialists.
3. In line with the rest of the public sector, the implementation of awards over 1.5 per cent will be staged, with 1.5 per cent paid at 1 April 2007 and the remainder being paid from 1 November 2007.
