Workforce pay and strategy
We deal with all issues relating to pay, pensions policy and terms and conditions for NHS Scotland staff employed by health boards across Scotland.
Specifically we:
- provide advice and develop policy on the pay, terms and conditions of service for NHS Scotland staff covered by the Agenda for Change system
- provide advice and develop policy on the pay, terms and conditions of service for NHS Scotland medical and dental staff including the Distinction Award and Discretionary Point schemes for NHS Consultants in Scotland
- lead on policy for the pay and terms and conditions for NHSScotland Executive and Senior Managers
- lead on policy for the NHS Pension Scheme (Scotland) which is administered by the Scottish Public Pension Agency
- provide evidence to two UK Pay Review Bodies, the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) and the Doctors and Dentist Review Body (DDRB) and take forward their recommendations
- are responsible for sponsoring the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee and providing a secretariat function
- are represented on the Management Steering Group (MSG) - a joint Scottish Government/NHS Employer body to discuss strategic service and related workforce issues
The NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) and the Doctors and Dentist Review Body (DDRB) make recommendation on pay for their respective remit groups. For the PRB this is all non-medical staff with the exception of Executive and senior managers (nurses, allied health professions, admin, support staff etc.). For the DDRB this is all directly employed doctors and dentists.
There are negotiating structures in place at both UK and Scottish levels for dealing with conditions of service (UK Staff Council, Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee and Joint Negotiating Committees (with British Medical Association and British Dental Association etc.).
Executive and Senior Manager (ESM) staff occupy the most senior positions in NHS Scotland and their pay is under Ministerial Direction, which means that the Cabinet Secretary confirms their pay settlement each year based on Scotland’s Public Sector Pay Policy.
The NHS Scotland Pension Scheme, which is open to all staff working in NHS Scotland, is administered by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA). Policy responsibility is retained by the Scottish Government.
More information
The Office of Manpower Economics (OME) provides an independent secretariat to 8 pay review bodies which make recommendations impacting 2.5 million workers – around 45% of public sector staff – and a pay bill of £100 billion.