What steps are being taken to address the difference in salary levels between middle grade doctors and junior training grade doctors.

I have taken the term“middle grade doctors” to refer to non-consultant career grade (NCCG) doctors.The salary levels applied to non-consultant career grades and to juniortraining grade doctors, as for all medical staff, are recommended annually bythe Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB), which is independent ofgovernment. The Scottish Executive has consistently accepted all therecommendations of the DDRB and implemented them in full.
The DDRB made clear this yearin their Thirty-Second Report that any consideration they might give toadditional remuneration for NCCGs should follow on from reviews into medicalcareer structures which are currently being undertaken across the UK,including in Scotland. These reviews are expected to report to ministersbefore the end of the year.