Model letter provided by Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA)in collaboration with the BMA for consultant clinical academics in England to sign up to new contractual arrangements in line with the new consultant contract (England)
12 January 2004
Without prejudice
[Date]
Dear [HR Director]
New contractual arrangements for consultant clinical academics
I am writing to give a formal commitment to move from my current contract of employment to contractual arrangements agreed between the BMA, BDA, the Department of Health and the employers and which are in line with the new consultant contract 2003.
I understand that this commitment is not legally binding but is conditional upon an appropriate integrated job plan being agreed. Whilst I am making this commitment in the full expectation of taking up the new contractual arrangements, if agreement over an integrated job plan cannot be reached, I reserve the right to retain my current contractual arrangements.
As this commitment is given by 31 January 2004, I understand that I will be eligible to receive the appropriate increase in pay backdated to 1 April 2003 or to a later date of my choice. I understand that the date agreed would become the date at which seniority is calculated and would also form my subsequent eligibility date for future pay thresholds. I understand that the amount of backdated pay will be determined by the integrated job plan agreed taking into account the number of Programmed Activities I undertake and any on-call availability supplement to which I might be entitled, as set out in the Guidance Notes for the employment of Consultant Clinical Academics (England) December 2003.
I am aware that receipt of backdated pay is conditional upon an integrated job plan being agreed by 31 March 2004. If, however, an integrated job plan is not agreed within that timescale for reasons beyond my control, I will not forfeit the right to backdated pay.
I ask that this letter be acknowledged and that when you do so you confirm that you will ensure that my honorary employer(s) is informed of my commitment.
Yours sincerely
[Name of consultant clinical academic]