Medical terms and conditions
Recommendations on the rates of remuneration for doctors and dentists employed in the provision of health services in Northern Ireland is made on an annual basis by the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Body (DDRB), an independent body, established to advise UK administrations on pay levels for medical and dental staff. Our Minister will decide whether to accept the recommendations made by the DDRB.
Under section 44 of the Health and Personal Social Services Act (NI) 2001 the department may direct a HSC Trust as to the terms and conditions of service on which it may employ staff. Under the same section Health and Social Care trusts have the power to determine the terms and conditions of service for their staff. In practice, however, trusts have, by and large, adhered to the regionally agreed terms and conditions negotiated through meetings with representatives of medical and dental staff, the British Medical Association and the British Dental Association, and facilitated by this Department in respect of staff employed by HSC organisations.
Medical Terms and Conditions staff participate in national joint negotiating committee meetings for all grades of medical staff – juniors, Specialty Doctors and Associate Specialists and Consultants.
Staff also provide the secretariat for the Clinical Excellence Awards scheme for consultants.