Written Statement: Responding to the 38th NHS Pay Review Body and 53rd Doctors and Dentists Review Body

I am pleased to announce I have accepted the recommendations made by the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) and the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) for 2025-26. This means NHS staff on Agenda for Change and medical and dental terms and conditions, will receive an above-inflation pay award, backdated to 1 April 2025.

The NHSPRB recommended a 3.6% consolidated uplift effective from 1 April 2025 for all Agenda for Change pay points. Staff employed under these terms and conditions include nurses, cleaners, porters, and healthcare support workers. In accepting these recommendations, we are committed to:

• Uplifting all pay points for Agenda for Change staff by 3.6% on a consolidated basis, effective from 1 April 2025.
• Making significant progress towards agreeing a plan with the UK Staff Council for implementing structural reform before the 2026-27 pay round begins. However, the UK Department for Health and Social Care will need to lead negotiations with the UK Treasury to secure additional funding in the forthcoming Spending Review to fund reform.
• For staff who received the Living Wage Foundation rate on 1 April 2025, the 3.6% award is not on top of that, as that was an advanced payment. 

I have accepted the DDRB recommendation for a 4% consolidated uplift effective from 1 April 2025 for the following groups:

• Consultants
• Specialty, specialist, and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists
• Resident doctors and dentists
• Salaried dentists, including those working in community dental services and the Public dental service
• Contractor general medical practitioners
• Salaried GPs.

I am also accepting the DDRB recommendation of an additional £750 increase for all resident doctor and dentist pay points. 

I have also accepted the recommendation of an increase in National Clinical Impact awards in Wales from 1 April 2025 to £10,500; £21,000; £31,500 and £42,000 across the four levels.

The following DDRB recommendations have been agreed  and I have asked my officials to start considering the following with trade unions in social partnership:

That governments consider a separate pay framework for locally employed doctors.

That governments undertake a review of pay progression for salaried dentists working in community services to assess whether the reward structure is appropriate to support recruitment, retention and service delivery.

The recommended 4% pay uplift for contracted GPs and dentists will be taken alongside overall contract agreement in tripartite negotiations, which are due to commence shortly. Our aim will be to secure this investment into primary care services as swiftly as possible, while progressing our ongoing programme of contract reform to ensure improved access to high-quality services for the public. 

While falling outside the scope of the DDRB recommendations, we want to see a fair and proportionate pay uplift across primary care, including community pharmacies, NHS optometry and all staff working in general practice and dental teams. This is in recognition of the vital role primary care, and its staff, plays in delivering essential services to people throughout Wales.

I would like to extend my thanks to all NHS staff for their ongoing dedication and hard work. Your commitment to providing exceptional care and services is truly appreciated.