NHS Employers responds to government and BMA agreeing SAS doctor pay offer

Responding to the announcement that the government and BMA have agreed an offer to resolve the dispute with specialty and specialist (SAS) doctors, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which is part of the NHS Confederation, said:

"This is another very positive step forward in resolving the pay disputes that have caused such disruption to NHS services and patients over the last 12 months.

"SAS doctors are an essential part of the NHS team and this offer makes clear the value of the new contract offered in recent years to SAS doctors. As with the recent offer to consultants in England, NHS leaders will hope that BMA members are able to respond positively to the government’s offer.  

"At the same time, colleagues are increasingly concerned that the junior doctors committee of the BMA is unable to see a route out of dispute for its members."