Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration - 2026-2027 pay round: written evidence

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Slàinte agus Cùram Sòisealta

Neil Gray MSP

Niall Gray BPA

T: 0300 244 4000

E: CabSecHSC@gov.scot

Mr Mark Hoble

Chair of Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration

Office of the Pay Review Bodies

London,

SW1H 0NB

By email: ddrb@businessandtrade.gov.uk

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September 2025

Dear Mark,

Congratulations on your new appointment as Chair of Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration. I look forward to collaborating with you on this pay round.

I am writing to offer my observations in relation to the 2025/26 round and to outline my position in relation to the recommendations. I am also seeking to formally commence the 2026/27 pay round for Doctors and Dentists in Scotland.

2025/26 Round

In my remit letter last year, I offered my full support to the agreed reforms to the DDRB process which formed part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s offer to Consultants in England for 2024/25. I am pleased to confirm that, in my view, these reforms were successfully implemented by the DDRB, and having carefully considered the 2025/26 report, I can now confirm that the Scottish Government has accepted the recommendation of a 4.0% uplift for the senior staff groups covered by the DDRB.

With regard to the other recommendations in your report, several do not apply to NHS Scotland due to significant differences in employment practices and procedures.

However, in relation to Recommendations 6 and 7, I would note that there is considerable variation in scope of work undertaken by General Medical and Dental Practices across the UK, the range of services provided, and the demands placed upon them, both across the four nations, but also between urban and rural practices within each nation. These variations are further shaped by the unique demographic characteristics of each locality, to the extent that it is in my view impractical to compile a detailed and meaningful index of typical expenses which accurately reflects the costs faced by contractors in Scotland.

I note here that my officials are currently working with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee (SGPC) on an approach to non-staff expenses, as well as with the Scottish Dental Practice Committee (SDPC) to agree realistic approaches to recognising expenses in service contracts. Further to this, we are committed to maintaining regular engagement with colleagues from the other UK nations to share insights on developments and areas of mutual interest, and this will also inform any action on recognition of expenses.

Regarding Recommendation 7, it is important that the British Dental Association (BDA) is encouraged to take the lead in proposing plausible and sustainable solutions to a range of issues, including recruitment, retention, and overall job satisfaction within the Public Dental Service. My dentistry policy officials are in regular dialogue with the BDA on these matters in a number of forums, including the regular meetings of the BDA Scottish Joint Negotiating Forum (SJNF) and I am keen to support their continued engagement with NHS Employers.

It is important to note that any changes to contract terms must be proposed, agreed and ratified by Board Chief Executives and the Management Steering Group, and this is independent to the work and direction of Scottish Government.

DDRB Remit for 2026/27

The Scottish Government continues to value the independent review process, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank your predecessor and colleagues for the significant work that took place in producing the 2025/26 report and recommendations.

Accordingly, the Scottish Government will provide a written evidence document, and we would be pleased to receive the DDRB views regarding a recommendation for 2026/27. This will be for all medical and dental staff in NHS Scotland and for medical and dental contractors in primary care but not Resident Doctors or Resident Dentists.

I am aware that you and your colleagues are seeking to accelerate this year’s process and expedite the publication of the DDRB process to an earlier point in 2026/27. I fully support this as I believe that giving staff certainty around pay increases and having uplifts in pay packets as soon as possible is beneficial to staff morale. I can confirm that my officials are working to deliver an initial draft of the Scottish Governments evidence for later this month.

I would highlight that this will just be an initial draft of our evidence, and we will provide an update following the Scottish budget announcement. This would normally take place in December, but I am not in a position to confirm this at this time due to the implications stemming from the timing of the UK budget. Once I have a confirmed position on the timing of the Scottish Budget my officials will notify their OPRB colleagues.

Copies of this letter will be sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the respective Ministers in the devolved governments as well as representatives of the Staff Side and NHS Employers.