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NHS Wales - Doctors' pay scales explained

• September 07, 2024

 

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 Wales and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales.

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

• Trust doctor jobs and pay for IMGs
• Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Wales
• FY1 & FY2
• Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)
• Specialty Doctor
• Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist
• Consultant
• Where do I fit on the pay scale?
• Doctors in training pay scale
• Specialty Doctor pay scale
• Associate Specialist pay scale
• Consultant pay scale
• Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms and conditions

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 Wales

FY1 & FY2

In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1), your basic salary is £30,478, increasing to a maximum of £37,804.

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 £40,387 and can progress to £53,443.

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 £56,346 to £90,000 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 £69,054 to £113,667.

Consultant

Consultants currently earn from £100,000 to £146,000 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 Wales

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. 

Specialty Doctor Pay Scale

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

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. 

Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist

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 Wales 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.

Consultant Pay Scale

Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Wales 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. 

For NHS locum consultants, pay is assigned a fixed pay point, of  £105,401, though locum consultants can earn more due with additional hours or sessions often available. The threshold pay scale below applies to substantive (permanent) contracts only, so therefore if you are not on the specialist register you will only be eligible for this fixed pay point, irrespective of your years completed consultant experience. 

For both permanent (substantive) and fixed-term (locum) consultant grades, 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. 

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.nhs.wales/files/pc-resources/042023-md-circular/ 

Relevant Jobs

Locum Consultant in Medical Oncology Gi & Lung Malignancies

105,504- 139,882

UK

Fixed Term

An NHS hospital in London is looking for a Locum Consultant in Medical Oncology with an interest in GI and Lung malignancies. The Oncology department comprises a team of 16 Consultant Oncologists and is supported by a multidisciplinary team of nurses, pharmacists, and radiographers. This Medical Oncology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist registration or MRCP qualifications are most encouraged to apply.

Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case-by-case basis.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS

Applicants should have full GMC registration, MRCP (or equivalent), and substantial experience in Medical Oncology. Interest in Lung  and GI malignancies is essential. The salary will be between £105,504- £139,882 dependent on experience.

CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE

• Provide specialist care for Breast and Lower GI cancer patients, including outpatient and radiotherapy services.
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings for Lung and GI malignancies.
• Engage in research, clinical audits, and teaching activities to support professional development.
• Contribute to the Acute Oncology Service (AOS) and provide clinical supervision for junior medical staff.

LIFE IN LONDON

London offers a dynamic and diverse environment with a mix of bustling urban areas and quieter suburban neighborhoods. It provides access to world-class educational institutions, excellent transport links, and a wide range of cultural, leisure, and historical attractions. London’s rich history and multicultural vibrancy make it an ideal location for both professional development and personal fulfillment.

HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?

When applying with IMG Connect, you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:

• CV preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists.
• Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms and recruitment practices.
• At least two video-calling interview preparation sessions.
• Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure, and more.

Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and guided throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives, including:

• Document gathering and checking.
• COS and visa application support if applicable.
• Assistance with sourcing short- and long-term accommodation.
• Travel arrangements.
• Family support for finding schools and other aspects of pastoral care.

Digital Histopathologist (uro-pathology, skin, breast)

105,504 to 139,882

Permanent

A teaching hospital in South England are looking to appoint a consultant histopathologist on a remote basis to report digitally for uro-pathology, skin, and breast pathology cases. Should candidate wish to be based on site, or with a hybrid work pattern this can of course be facilitated. 

Cellular Pathology Services

The Cellular and Anatomical Pathology Department encompasses histopathology, cytopathology, neuropathology, and anatomical pathology. Annually, it processes approximately 38,000 surgical biopsies, 2,000 non-cervical cytology samples, and conducts around 1,100 postmortem examinations.

The department is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including consultant pathologists, biomedical scientists, and technical specialists. Services provided involve diagnostic evaluations of tissue samples to identify diseases such as cancer and precancerous conditions, utilizing techniques like special stains, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular methods. The department\'s facilities are equipped to deliver timely and accurate diagnoses, with most straightforward biopsies reported within 14 working days.

Eligibility

Working arrangements can be discussed openly, with an understanding that flexible working and full off-site reporting is accepted and offered for those requiring so, and with specialist registration NHS consultant experience are invited to apply.