Increases due at the end of September of 3.7% and 3.5% are – just – above 2.8% inflation rate.
The Scottish Health Minister has confirmed that Scotland will abide by the recommendations for an increase in pay for NHS staff, in line with the rest of the UK.
In today’s announcement, it says the ‘above inflation pay uplift’ will begin at the end of September, backed to April 1, and is expected to affect some 10,000 NHS staff. Of course, any pay rise is welcome, even more so if it keeps ahead of the rising cost of living. That’s what this new offer does – barely. Maybe don’t splash out just yet.
Under the new uplift, consultants, GPs, specialist and associate (SAS) doctors and dentists will receive a 3.7% increase in pay. Salaried community and public dental workers will receive a 3.5% increase.
So, how much is this above inflation?
The Officie for National Statistics (ONS) measures inflation via the Consumer Prices Index including owner-occupiers’ home costs (CPIH). According to latest ONS figures, dated July 22, CPIH rose by 2.8% in the year to June 2026, slightly down from the 3.0% rise in the year to May.
The level of increase in pay was recommended by the independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB). In previous years it has gone further, recommending a rise of 4% in 2025-26, 10.5% in 2024-25 and 6% in 2023-24.
But DDRB made its recommendation for this year’s uplift in March, and CPIH was 3.4% in the year to March 2026. So the DDRB recommendation, when it was first made, was only just above inflation. It’s now fractionally more above inflation, but only because since March inflation rates have fractionally fallen.
Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care wrote to the DDRB to confirm acceptance of its recommended rate of uplift. She said: ‘ I’m grateful to all consultants, GPs, SAS doctors and dentists for the invaluable contribution they make to the people of Scotland in delivering safe, effective and high-quality care across our communities.
‘It is, therefore, right that we recognise this by accepting the independent findings of the DDRB to deliver an equitable and affordable pay deal – one that is in line with other public sector pay awards for 2026-27.
‘We remain committed to a fair, evidence-based and independent approach to pay awards and in accepting the DDRB recommendations in full, we are supporting recruitment and retention. This will help to ensure that NHS Scotland remains an attractive place to work, while balancing the need for financial sustainability across the public sector.’
Photo: Mateo Hernandez Reyes / Unsplash
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