About the new contract

In 2022 BMA Scotland negotiated with the Management Steering Group (MSG) on new contracts for SAS doctors in Scotland. MSG is the body responsible for negotiating terms and conditions of service on behalf of the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland employers.

These negotiations concluded with MSG presenting a ‘full and final’ offer on a contract package which comprised a revised Specialty Doctor (2022) contract and the introduction of a new Specialist (2022) grade.

The BMA’s Scottish SAS Committee (SSASC) agreed to put this package to a referendum of SAS members in Scotland and 93% of members who took part voted to accept.

Set out below is a summary of the key points of MSG’s offer including the full and final versions of the Terms and Conditions of Service for both grades.

• Download a detailed summary of the contract offer for SAS doctors in Scotland (PDF)
• Download the terms and conditions for specialty doctors in Scotland (PDF)
• Download the terms and conditions for specialist doctors in Scotland (PDF)

Transferring to the 2022 contracts

Doctors on 2008 or earlier contracts can still transfer to the new 2022 Specialty Doctor contract. Anyone wishing to do this should contact their employer to express an interest in transferring. An expression of interest is not legally binding (schedule 24 of the terms and conditions) and it does not mean you are obliged to transfer. What it means is that you agree to enter into the transitional process in good faith and with the expectation of transferring.

The process of moving would look like this:

Step 1 - Expressing interest 

If you tell your employer that you want to transfer to the new contract, you will begin a process of transition.

Step 2 - Job planning 

Once you express an interest in moving to the new contract, the expectation is that you and your employer will enter into a job planning process. You will review your current work pattern with your employer and jointly decide whether any changes are needed or not.
Where either you or your employer suggest changes with which the other does not agree, you can both use the usual job planning mediation and appeals processes before you make a final decision about transferring.

The job planning process should commence as soon as possible, and no later than one month following the expression of interest and be completed within three months.

Step 3 - The offer

After the job planning meeting, your employer must provide a written statement of the job plan and salary package you would receive under the new contract.  Following receipt of the offer, you have 28 days within which to accept or decline the offer in writing.

Step 4 - Accept or decline

If at this point you have been unable to agree to a new job plan with your employer, are unhappy with any changes they are proposing to your working patterns, or are not willing to accept the salary on offer, you are under no obligation to move to the new contract.

After your employer has made the final offer, you will have 21 days in which to either accept or decline. If you choose to decline, there will be no detriment to you and you will remain on your existing contract, job plan, and pay arrangements.

The effective date of transfer, and so the date your new salary takes effect, is the date the mutually agreed Job Plan comes into effect.

Latest pay scales for 2022 specialty doctor and specialist contracts

• View the latest basic pay scales for specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors in Scotland.

What is the eligibility criteria for specialist doctors?

A doctor appointed to this grade:

• shall have full registration and a Licence to Practice with the General Medical Council; and
• shall have completed a minimum of 10 years' medical work (either continuous period or in aggregate) since obtaining a primary medical qualification of which a minimum of six years should have been in a relevant specialty in the Specialty Doctor and/or closed SAS grades. Equivalent year's experience in a relevant speciality from other medical grades including from overseas will also be accepted;
• shall meet the criteria set out in the Specialist grade generic capabilities framework.

See terms and conditions of service specialist doctor in Scotland