HCSA’s National Executive Committee will meet tonight to discuss the government’s 2026-7 pay award for hospital doctors. The government accepted the pay review body DDRB recommendation of a 3.5 percent award for all grades.
HCSA President Dr Naru Narayanan described the award as a case of “treading water”, with February RPI inflation announced yesterday as 3.6 percent and CPIH as 3.2 percent.
The union’s submission to the DDRB called for “a significant real-terms pay rise for all hospital doctors” as well as roadmap to reverse long-standing pay erosion.
HCSA also called for a multi-year pay offer for resident doctors which would guarantee above-inflation rises.
Responding to the government announcement, Dr Narayanan said:
“While 3.5 percent broadly reflects inflation in the 12 months to February, at best it represents a case of treading water on pay.
“Clearly there is still much work to do to deliver on the longer-term plan on doctors’ pay which we so desperately need to end industrial unrest within the medical landscape and stabilise workforces.
“HCSA’s National Executive Committee will meet tonight to discuss the award and consider the union’s next steps.”