NEW BMA UPDATE*

The DDRB: why we lost confidence in this process

The DDRB is the independent pay review body for doctors and dentists. It was set up in 1960, and the terms of its remit were clear: to ensure pay was kept in line with the cost of living and also to give doctors and dentists confidence that their remuneration would be settled ‘on a just basis’ and not just ‘as a regulator of the national economy’. Put simply − that a doctor’s worth should be assessed free of any Government interference. At first it fulfilled its role well. In April 1975, the DDRB recommended a pay uplift of 30% for doctors across the board [1]. Resident doctors had been undertaking industrial action due to public sector spending restraint that had caused their pay to significantly erode. Sound familiar? The recommendation was not awarded by the government and the DDRB committee resigned [2]. Sadly, the DDRB settling things on a ‘just basis’ has not been the case in recent years. In 2021 after the COVID pandemic, the DDRB made a recommendation of a 3% uplift to all doctors when the government recommendation was only 1% (citing affordability concerns) [3]. However, resident doctors in training were specifically excluded from this 3% uplift, as we were part of a multiyear pay deal. The BMA had asked the DDRB to take into account the stresses of working in the pandemic when making its recommendation, but this did not occur. RDC withdrew from the pay review process after that in 2022 and, in 2023, the entire BMA withdrew, as it was thought to be not independent and free from government constraints to spending [4].|

Where are we now, and what is the BMA doing? 

The BMA has chosen to re-engage in the process this year after reforms were won in the pay deals last year, including the DDRB being instructed to refer to comparator professions and international comparators for remuneration estimates. We provided them evidence of how much a resident doctor is paid in Australia for example [5].

The April pay review will also be the first time the body makes its recommendations after the Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s stated commitment to build on last year’s deal and embark on a journey with doctors towards FPR – a commitment that looks increasingly shaky following Mr Streeting’s proposal in December of a 2.8% uplift. We remind you that a 2.8% pay uplift when RPI inflation has just reached 3.6% is a real terms pay cut. All eyes are now on the DDRB. A late or inadequate recommendation will lead to a ballot for further strike action. Update your details today to help us get ballot-ready.

Does anyone know what delayed means? - The Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) typically publishes its annual pay recommendations between June and August. For instance, the 52nd report was released on July 29, 2024.

So do we need to wait until end of July? Which would mean probably striking in October 2025 - this seems all too long and slow? Let me know if I am wrong with these dates.