Welsh Assembly Government Links
Pay & Conditions
Everyone who joins the NHS is guaranteed a salary that matches their ability and responsibilities, and is given every opportunity to increase it through training and development.
On top of your basic salary, you will receive a generous holiday entitlement plus a range of other benefits including training, occupational health and counselling services.
Agenda for Change
A national pay system - Agenda for Change (AfC) - was introduced across the NHS in October 2004 for all directly employed staff except doctors and the most senior managers. The new pay system offers real benefits for staff including:
- a standard working week of 37.5 hours
- harmonised holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus eight general and public holidays, rising to 33 days after ten years' service
- new pay enhancements to reward out of hours, shift and overtime working
- better career and pay progression based on the application of knowledge and skills
- annual personal development review to support career aspirations.
Other benefits of working in the NHS include training, occupational health services, automatic membership of the NHS Pension Scheme (unless you choose to opt out) and study leave for sponsored courses.
NHS Pensions
From 1 April 2008 there will be an updated NHS Pension Scheme for existing members and a new NHS Pension Scheme for anyone who joins after 1 April 2008. Every new employee automatically becomes a member and you will get an excellent package of pension benefits, fully protected against inflation and guaranteed by the government. For more details see:
Doctors Pay
- Pay for Doctors NHS Careers website
The Consultant Contract
The consultant contract aims to properly reward consultants so that more NHS patients benefit from their time and skills. It also sets out to ensure investment brings with it new ways of delivering patient care.
