Proposals to restructure payscales for civilian medical practitioners (CMPs) - a formal offer and BMA response
August 2008
Background
The BMA's Armed Forces Committe (AFC) sent the CMP pay proposals, out to known members and non-members in July, asking them whether they felt that this was an adequate first step. The Armed Forces Committee then gathered all responses and a formal response from the AFC was sent to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 31 July 2008.
Consultation responses
The responses were, as expected, mixed. However, the majority of respondents welcomed the supplementary skills allowance and the proposals to remove the current three milestones as well as the reward for GDMO supervision. This was conveyed to the MoD.
BMA response to proposals
Having considered the responses from members, non-members and the Committee’s views we found it very difficult to accept the proposals at this stage without knowing the full extent of payments but we agree that the proposals certainly have some merit to them and are a good first step.
They key issues that were raised in the letter to the MoD:
Basic pay spine
The biggest problem with the proposals is over the pay at the top of the scale and the length of the spine. Having consulted with the BMA Legal Department we do not agree that discrimination regulation prohibits a longer level pay spine. Hence, we suggested that a 30 point scale would be a better comparison to uniformed colleagues and provide an even better progression incentive as well as allowing progression for those at the top of the current scale who often have the most experience and responsibility.
The AFC suggested that the proposed pay at the top of the scale was too low and gave no incentive to current or future CMPs who have served more than 16 years. We have asked the MoD to respond on this and we have indicated that we recommend an increase to the top salary.
We have also asked that the steps are levelled so that there are less inconsistencies in pay awards.
Additional payments
Other payments are crucial, in particular for those CMPs based overseas who have many additional responsibilities. We suggested that additional pay should be given for training responsibilities, additional qualifications, practice management as well as for on-call and out of hours etc and we have asked MoD for assurances that we can agree remuneration for out-of-hours, on-call and overtime work as well as study leave as soon as possible.
We have written that the extra responsibilities for overseas CMPs should attract additional remuneration above COLA and London weighting. The interface with secondary care is extremely onerous and involves responsibilities which in the NHS fall to PCTs rather than GPs and hence should be better rewarded.
Occupation Health casework which takes up a considerable time for CMPs should attract additional remuneration as this falls outside the normal remit of UK GPs to which CMPs are often compared.
Appraisers should be paid additional remuneration for this role.
Associate trainers pay
We have suggested that reward for GDMO supervision is introduced as soon as possible, with backdating for those that have already been carrying out this duty. We believe that this should be supplementary to Trainers’ pay as it carries additional responsibility and workload.
The AFC aim to work with the MoD on this important reform for CMPs we would value any further comments from CMPs and there will also be a chance to debate these issues further at the Civilian Doctors Conference on 5 November .
Please contact the AFC secretariat with any comments or for a full copy of the BMA response.