NHS Scotland - Doctors' Pay Scales Explained

  • November 10, 2022
 

Understanding your NHS job's salary is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK.

Doctors play an integral part in delivering high quality patient care in the NHS and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits. 

NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades in Scotland and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales.

In this article we will take a look at the following topics:  

Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.

Trust Doctor Jobs & IMGs' Pay

It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post which means to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training. 

As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service level jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+. These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand. 


The salary pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post). 


Typical NHS Doctor’s Salary in Scotland

FY1 & FY2

In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £27,653, increasing to a maximum of £31,106.

As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums. 

Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)

If you are a doctor starting your specialist training in 2019, your basic salary starts at £36,472 and can progress to £48,251.

As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums. 

Specialty Doctor

Specialty doctors currently earn from £45,193 to £84,272 basic pay. 

The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls. 

Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist

A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist Grade (or Associate Specialist), which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Associate Specialists can earn a basic of between £63,361 to £103,074.

Consultant

Consultants currently earn from £91,474 to £121,548 basic pay.

As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week.

If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements. 

Placement onto Pay Scale

There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale: 

  • Job title
  • Experience
  • Hours worked
  • Trusts can be different

Job Title

The first thing to consider is your job title. 

At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels. 

Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required. 

Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect. 

Experience within your chosen field

Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale. 

This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information. 

Hours you will work

The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For more senior doctors, including Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists/ Specialist Grades and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay. 

NHS trusts can be different

The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!  

This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account.

NHS Pay Scales in Scotland

Doctors in Training

Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level. 

The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1/ F1, ST1/ CT1 and ST3/ 4. 

The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result. 

As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand. 

Foundation Doctors & Specialty Registrars

Scale

 

Foundation Doctor 1

MN13

Foundation Doctor 2

MN13

Specialty Registrar (fixed term)

MN35 

Specialty Registrar (core training)

MN39

Specialty Registrar (full)

MN37

Min

£27,653

£34,299 £36,472 £36,472 £36,472

1

£29,380 £36,543 £38,704 £38,704 £38,704

2

£31,106 £38,787 £41,821 £41,821 £41,821

3

    £43,706 £43,706 £43,706

4

    £45,978 £45,978 £45,978

5

    £48,251 £48,251 £48,251

6

        £50,527

7

        £52,800

8

        £55,073

9

        £57,349

SAS Doctor Pay Scale

SAS stands for Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in the relevant specialty. Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in Scotland have their own contracts in place for senior doctors these contracts are based in full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities per week it has been timetabled value of four hours. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings.

It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field. 

The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you. 

Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years. 

In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years. 

The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result. 

As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand. 

Pay Point

Specialty Doctor

Associate Specialist Pay Point Progression

0

£45,193

£63,361 1 year

1

£49,057 £68,454 1 year

2

£54,080 £73,546 1 year

3

£56,772

£80,271 1 year

4

£60,651

£86,099 1 year
Threshold 1

5

£64,516

£88,517 2 years

6

£68,466 £91,673 2 years

7

£72,418 £93,880 2 years
Threshold 2

8

£76,370

£96,945 3 years

9

£80,321 £100,008 3 years

10

£84,272 £103,074 N/A

Consultant Pay Scale

Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Scotland at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. 

At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant. 

On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position. 

Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10 PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result. 

Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand. 

Years consultant experience

Basic salary

Pay point

1

£91,474

1 year

2

£93,406 1 year

3

£96,185 1 year

4

£98,967

1 year

5

£101,741

5 years

6

£101,741

4 years

7

£101,741 3 years

8

£101,741 2 years

9

£101,741

1 year

10

£108,345 5 years

11

£108,345 4 years
12

£108,345

3 years
13

£108,345

2 years
14

£108,345

1 year
15

£114,949

5 years
16

£114,949

4 years
17

£114,949

3 years

18

£114,949 2 years

19

£114,949 1 year

20

£121,548 N/A

Additional Pay, Benefits, Pensions and Terms & Conditions

Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in the pay and conditions circulars here.

You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits. 

Sources

https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pcs/PCS2022(DD)01.pdf


Getting started 

NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS. 

Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account. 

For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library. 

            

 

Relevant Jobs

This is a good opportunity for any FRCPath or European-qualified histopathologists to join a friendly, high calibre department in the North East of England. The department are looking for experienced but hungry histopathologists to join them for a long-term post, and the trust will support candidates working on the Portfolio Pathway in Histopathology (formerly known as CESR). The trust will consider both UK and overseas applicants.

What is the NHS Foundation Trust like?

The NHS Foundation Trust serves as a district general hospital, providing essential healthcare services to the local population. Under its management, various healthcare facilities in the region. Consistent positive evaluations from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) underscore its commitment to delivering high-quality patient care, safety, and efficiency. The catchment area of this trust encompasses the north east, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive healthcare close to home. Through its services, the trust plays a vital role in promoting community health and well-being, contributing to a stronger, healthier population.

What is the department & team like?

The department have been centralized at a state-of-the-art Pathology Centre located at the NHS Foundation Trust\'s main hospital. These services cater to the local population in the North East. The consolidation of Cellular Pathology Services, completed in 2014, marks an innovative reorganization in pathology services. Satellite hot lab facilities are available at the NHS Foundation Trust\'s other sites. The NHS Foundation Trust leads this service, and the appointed individual will be contracted.

Pathologists are equipped with high-quality IT infrastructure to facilitate remote attendance at Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDTs). In cases where physical presence is required, a departmental electric car or a hopper service is available for transportation. Digital pathology implementation is underway progressively for pathologists interested in participation.

Career Development & Further Opportunities Available

The department will in time be moving towards a specialist reporting model and there will be opportunity to carve out your lead role in either the GI, head & neck, and urology sub-specialties. 

Life in North East

The North East of England offers a diverse mix of rural landscapes and urban centers, providing doctors with a range of living options. Residents can explore historic sites like Hadrian\'s Wall or enjoy scenic walks along the Northumberland coast. The area boasts reputable schools and universities such as Durham University. Transportation links are efficient, connecting the region to major cities like Newcastle and Sunderland, as well as airports for convenient travel. Housing options vary from picturesque villages to modern city apartments, accommodating different preferences and lifestyles.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?

Non-EEA candidates: 

  • FRCPath
  • Experience in Histopathology

EEA candidates: 

  • Specialist certification in Histopathology
  • Experience in Histopathology 

UK candidates: 

  • CCT, CESR or within 6-12 months of specialist registration 
  • Experience in Histopathology
100,000 +
A Welsh Health Board are looking to appoint an experienced consultant histopathologist to work in a joint clinical and educational supervisor to four innovative CESR Fellows, all FRCPath Histopathology holders. 

This is a unique opportunity to work in a developing initiative that will bring immense social good to the local the people of Wales. 

Short / mid / long-term ambitions for this role.

Short-term, there is the opportunity to work a close group of four international doctors, with specialist qualifications in histopathology including FRCPath. You\'ll have the opportunity to shape the careers of hungry pathologists ready to absorb all the knowledge and experience from an experienced NHS colleague like yourself.

Mid-term you\'ll be jointly responsible for the successful portfolio submissions for these individuals, helping the laboratory at Glangwili General Hospital to establish a newly qualified consultant team to provide stability and excellent pathological services for the patients of Wales, UK.

Long-term, the potential is enormous. As part of ‘A Regional Collaborative for Health’ or ARCH a regional hub for South and West Wales is being built in Swansea, to house a 30-35 consultant lead service for histopathology alone. Fully digitalised regional services for half the Welsh landmass would be provided via one central and digitalised hub. 

Life in the area

It\'s a beautiful life with Wales offering beaches, beautiful forest, lakes and mountains all available to you in your free-time. It\'s a low cost of living and a a bit of a dream for the right person. We can chat more about that over our call. 
93,666 - 126,281
IMG Connect are representing a Southern-based molecular oncology facility with a fully equipped laboratory, integrated process platforms, an in-house bioinformatics team, and a huge genetic database for precise and updated reporting.

The UK Lab is based in Surrey, and the facility is ISO 15189 accredited and ISO 27001 certified.

The department provides the latest technology and several years of extensive research offering highly effective treatment solutions to cancer patients for whom, multiple lines of treatment have failed.

The UK lab receives samples that are received from private practices around the UK, Europe and USA. 

Responsibilities:

With roughly two hours of work needed per day, mostly remote, with twice weekly attendance onsite likely required, the pathologists responsibilities will be along the lines of the below.
  • Authorisation of reports (molecular and tissue)
  • Sectioning slides / assessing tumour content - to help identify which sections can be used for processing samples.
  • Approving & signing reports.
    • Signing out molecular reports - training will be given.
    • Signing out solid organ cancer reports
    • Turnaround time is required within 24-hours. 
 Any successful candidate will be given a laptop and training to enable successful completion of the role.

Eligibility:
  • GMC registration 
  • Right to work in the UK
  • Ability to travel twice per week to Surrey, UK.
  • FRCPath or Specialist Registration is not required for this post
40,000 - 82,400

An exceptional NHS job opportunity awaits a Middle Grade Microbiologist to join the Microbiology Pathology Department at an \"outstanding\" rate NHS Trust.The role involves diagnosing and managing infections caused by microorganisms, contributing significantly to patient well-being.

This is an ideal chance for overseas Microbiologists or Middle Grade Doctors to establish themselves in the UK NHS system, with potential CESR support. Suitable for EEA-specialized candidates or experienced IMGs seeking career advancement.

What is the NHS Foundation Trust like?

This NHS Foundation Trust is a dynamic organization with an £180 million turnover, employing 12,000 staff to serve 500,000 people across acute and community healthcare services. Recognized for excellence by the CQC in 2016 and 2019, it primarily serves an urban population but extends its care across a rural expanse from the River Tyne to the River Tweed, offering picturesque landscapes. The Trust operates three major hospitals and numerous community facilities, including the state-of-the-art Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. With ongoing capital investments, it ensures modern, purpose-built facilities and expands its services to meet evolving healthcare needs.

They provide an extensive array of specialties, boasting some of the region\'s largest specialist departments. These include the foremost trauma and orthopaedics service, a significant cardiology department, and one of the region\'s most expansive units for colorectal surgery services.

The NHS Foundation Trust prioritizes supporting its staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance, irrespective of individual circumstances. Applicants unable to work full-time due to personal reasons will still be considered for the position, and adjustments to job responsibilities can be discussed on a case-by-case basis upon appointment.

What is the Department & Team like?

The Clinical Support and Cancer Services Business Unit manages Radiology, Pharmacy, and Pathology departments, as well as cancer services, across several hospitals. These services also extend to six community hospitals. With modern facilities and dedicated staff, the Pathology department, including the microbiology laboratory, benefits from significant capital investment and supports medical education initiatives.

The Microbiology team offers clinical consultation services through various channels such as ward rounds, telephone, email, and multi-disciplinary team meetings. They collaborate closely with Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Control, Public Health teams, and the laboratory. Encouragement for networking with Consultant Microbiologists in the Newcastle area is given to improve patient care across organizational boundaries.

The microbiology laboratory holds a central position within the hospital complex. It comprises 240 m² of laboratory space and 74 m² of office space, established during the hospital\'s original construction in 1987. Specimens from clinical areas within the North East site are transported to the laboratory via a vacuum air tube system, while collections from GP practices and other hospital sites across the region are managed through regular courier and van services.

Life like in North East

The North East of the UK offers a diverse landscape, blending urban hubs like Newcastle and Sunderland with picturesque rural areas. Residents enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, from historic sites like Durham Cathedral to sandy beaches along the Northumberland coast. The region hosts reputable universities such as Newcastle University and Durham University, complemented by excellent schools. Transportation links are robust, with rail and road networks connecting to major cities and airports like Newcastle International Airport. Housing options range from city center apartments to suburban family homes and quaint countryside cottages, catering to varied lifestyles and preferences.
 

52,530 - 82,240

An outstanding opportunity for a psychiatrist to join Forensic Psychiatry Department as Specialty Doctor that has received outstanding ratings from the CQC on three occasions. You will offer psychiatric input and conduct assessments, both psychiatric and physical, for patients on two wards. One ward is a self-contained low secure rehabilitation unit situated away from the main hospital premises, while the other is a medium secure rehabilitation ward. This role offers exposure to a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, including personality, affective, anxiety, psychotic, neurodevelopmental, and substance-related disorders. Moreover, it provides a platform for developing knowledge and understanding of forensic mental health sections. This position also offers CESR support for those seeking progression within the UK NHS Jobs system.

This is a great opportunity for overseas Specialty Doctors who want to establish themselves in the NHS, and grow their career. The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.

What is the NHS Trust like?

The Mental Health NHS Trust is a leading provider of mental health service serving a population of 1.2 million. With five main inpatient sites and 25 community locations, they offer comprehensive support for both mental and physical health needs, catering to young people and adults alike. From managing phobias and anxiety to addressing conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, their services are diverse and inclusive. They integrate community health services with mental health care, enabling simultaneous treatment of conditions such as diabetes and mental health issues, promoting holistic patient care.

Forensic Psychiatry Team & Department

The Forensic Service enjoys a stellar reputation, earning an \'Outstanding\' rating from the Care Quality Commission. The Forensic Service delivers care in low and medium secure environments, featuring specialized facilities such as the National Stalking Clinic and the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC). These services focus on evaluating and managing risks for prominent individuals. 

The inpatient service consists of one acute assessment and treatment medium secure male 4 4 ward, four treatment and intervention medium secure male wards, one female medium secure ward, one medium secure and one low secure male learning disability ward, one low secure male FICU ward and 4 low secure male wards. There are currently 25 Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists in post, working with 5 senior psychiatric trainees who rotate with posts at other forensic psychiatric services in the region. There are 5 junior psychiatric trainees, coming from the UCH training schemes. The service currently employs 10 specialty doctors, working in the prisons and in the rehabilitation parts of the service.

Life in the area

The area offers a blend of urban and suburban living, providing both rural escapes and city conveniences. Residents can explore scenic parks or enjoy activities at different parks. The area boasts a range of quality schools and easy access to universities like Middlesex University. Transport links are excellent, with frequent trains to central London and nearby cities, as well as efficient connections to major airports. Housing options vary from historic cottages to modern apartments, catering to diverse preferences and lifestyles.

Career Development and Opportunities Available

With an extremely active education/teaching programme supported by the consultant team, there is opportunity to work towards and complete CESR, RCPsych exams, get involved in active research and many aspects of CPD. 

Participation in research and educational activities will be encouraged.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:

  • Experience of working in Forensic Psychiatry (Desirable)

Non-EEA Candidates:

  • MRCPsych
  • Experience of working in Forensic Psychiatry (Desirable)

UK based applicants

  • Experience of working in Forensic Psychiatry (Desirable)

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