AQW 26408/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 25/11/2021
Answered On Date: 15/12/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health why similar steps to those taken in Wales, such as not recouping overpayments and committing to no detriment in pay, were not considered for those transferring to the new 2021 Specialty Doctor contract in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The reform of the SAS Contract was a tripartite negotiation involving England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The contract was negotiated on the basis that this would be choice exercise that SAS doctors would be able to choose to move to the new terms or remain on their existing terms. It was agreed by all parties at the outset of the negotiations that there would be some differences in the final terms based on the each nation’s circumstances. In Wales an agreement was reached with the Welsh BMA SAS Committee during the contract negotiations that they would not recoup any potential over payments that may occur as a consequence of moving to the new contracts. No agreement was made in either England or Northern Ireland, and indeed was not sought by the respective BMA Committees. The NI Framework Agreement for the contract was formally signed by NI BMA in April 2021. The issues relating to overpayment only became relevant following the publication, in July 2021, of the recommendation of the Review Body for Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration for a general 3% uplift to pay.