Planned “pay cartel” in southwest England is condemned by BMA and Unison

Nineteen trusts in southwest England want to break from national pay, terms, and conditions, indicates a leaked document obtained by the Sunday Times.

The trusts have formed the South West Pay, Terms and Conditions Consortium to examine ways to deliver savings. Health unions and professional organisations have labelled the consortium a “pay cartel” that would push through regional changes that would not have been possible on a trust by trust basis.

Labour’s shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, described the move as a “drastic step.” “This is an insult to staff who are working hard to keep the show on the road.”

The leaked document suggests terminating all staff contracts and reoffering them on different terms. The new terms could include pay cuts of up to 5%, an …