SAS contract devolved nations update
24 January 2008
Background
With regard to the implementation of the contract in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the letter releasing the contract from the Department of Health (17 December 2007) clarifies that this is a matter for Ministers in the Devolved Administrations. The BMA has been pushing for urgent clarification before starting the voting process. In recent discussions with NHS Employers, the SASC has requested written clarification from each of the devolved nations on the exact position of the contract offer for each nation, as a matter of urgency.
Scotland
In December 2007 the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health gave a mandate to Scottish Government Health Department representatives to arrange meetings between the Employers' Management Steering Group and the Scottish Staff and Associate Specialists Committee (SSASC) in January 2008 to discuss the situation. A first meeting was arranged for 18 January. At this meeting, delegates discussed phasing as well as some other proposals for alternative implementation in Scotland, but no formal offer was made to SSASC. Although a second meeting was originally scheduled for 24 January, at the request of Scottish government representatives this will now take place on 1 February 2008. At this next meeting, SSASC expects to be told how the contract release in England will apply to those SAS doctors in Scotland.
Wales
An email from the Head of Pay Modernisation at the Welsh Assembly Government confirmed that the Welsh Government had interpreted the contract offer as a UK- wide deal and hence Wales would offer the same contract for SAS doctors in Wales.
Northern Ireland
Despite urgently seeking clarification from DHSSPS in December 2007, NISASC are still awaiting formal approval for the implementation of the deal in Northern Ireland.