NHS Wales general practice staff will receive a 2.8% pay increase, aligning their pay with contract recommendations by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration.
The pay increase, which rewards general practitioners (GPs) and their employees for their hard work during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, will come into effect immediately as part of the 2020-2021 staffing budgets, with all contracted and permanent NHS doctors, nurses and staff eligible for the pay increase.
The new uplift in salaries is part of the Welsh government’s commitment to pay progression for GP staff, which it began implementing in 2019.
This is not the first time this year the Welsh government has remunerated public sector workers, in July 2020, it increased teachers salaries by 3.7% and a month earlier, rewarded awarded ancillary staff working in care homes with a £500 bonus for their hard work during the pandemic.
Vaughan Gething, minister for health and social services for Wales, said: “This round of negotiations has been undertaken at a time of significant challenge for our NHS. Primary care has played an important role during the pandemic, with all doctors’ practices being open throughout and adapting quickly to ensure care continued.
“The offer agreed demonstrates my appreciation for the efforts of GPs and all staff working in practices. Their dedication and commitment during the Coronavirus pandemic have supported our communities across Wales. The new contract will now see us build on changes that have been made during the pandemic including the introduction of digital consultations and to embed new ways of working.