HCSA - the hospital doctors’ union has today announced a referendum of consultant members in England over a revised reform package tabled by the government.

HCSA’s Executive committee has issued a recommendation for members to accept, after improvements were made to several key areas of the agreement.

The referendum will open on March 14th and close at midnight on April 3rd.

It follows members’ rejection in January of the previous government offer.

The draft agreement:

• reduces the number of points on the pay scale and the time it takes to progress to the highest level
• brings reforms to the DDRB pay review body from 2025
• extends enhanced shared parental leave to consultants
• includes a new pay uplift for younger consultants.

Concerns over clauses around Supporting Professional Activity time have also been addressed by their removal.

Commenting, HCSA President Dr Naru Narayanan said:

“After further high-intensity negotiations the HCSA Executive feels this package has improved sufficiently to recommend a Yes vote to members.

“This is not a simple pay offer, it is a wider package of reforms. HCSA maintains its view that long-term pay erosion must be addressed for all grades of doctor, something this package does not resolve. However, we acknowledge the government’s movement on its original position, including on DDRB reform which is crucial to be able to redress real-terms wage decline in future.

“As a democratic organisation it is for our members to have the final say. They will now exercise their own judgement on the package. Should they vote Yes, it will end HCSA consultants’ immediate industrial dispute.”