Pay and benefits
Pay and conditions
Agenda for Change applies to over one million NHS staff across the UK. The pay system ensures fair pay and a clearer system for career progression.
Staff are now paid on the basis of the jobs they are doing and the skills and knowledge they apply to these jobs. This is underpinned by a job evaluation scheme specifically designed for the NHS.
To support personal development and career progression, there is the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework, linked to annual development reviews and personal development plans. The system is designed to replace outdated demarcations and allows staff to progress by taking on new responsibilities.
This will allow jobs to be designed around patient and staff needs, improving overall productivity and the job satisfaction for staff. The new system has also introduced standard arrangements for hours, annual leave and overtime.
The current pay scales according to Agenda for Change can be viewed here.
Flexible Working
NHS Nottinghamshire County shows its commitment to staff by offering a range of benefits, from flexible working opportunities to a host of other improving working lives initiatives.
Staff at the PCT are given the opportunity to work flexibly where possible and many staff do. The PCT considers all requests to work flexibly and current examples include:
- job share,
- part-time working,
- annualised hours,
- school term time working,
- flexi-time,
- nine day fortnight.
Leave entitlements
Holiday entitlements are awarded according to NHS Service and all staff are entitled to 8 of days public holidays.
|
Length of service |
Annual leave and general public holidays |
|
On appointment |
27 days + 8 days |
|
After five years’ service |
29 days + 8 days |
|
After ten years’ service |
33 days + 8 days |
In addition to Annual Leave and General Public Holidays, the PCT also makes provision for Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Adoption Leave, Parental Leave, Carer’s Leave, Emergency Leave, Bereavement Leave, Special Leave and Career Breaks these are referenced in the PCT’s Policy for Annual Leave and General Public Holidays.
The NHS Pension and Retirement
All NHS employees are entitled to join the NHS Pension Scheme, which offers staff the following member benefits:
- A pension linked to pay and membership. Benefits are fully guaranteed and will increase each year to keep pace with inflation.
- Immediate Life Assurance of twice annual pay from the first day of joining. This is a lump sum payable to anyone or your estate.
- Dependants benefits – survivor pensions for widows, widowers and civil partners, and child allowances, subject to certain restrictions.
- Benefit package worth 20% of pay for 3.5% net employee contribution.
- Tax free lump sum of 3 x pension. (note this does not always apply to male members with membership prior to 25/03/1972)
- Voluntary early retirement from age 50 (restrictions apply). Members will receive an actuarially reduced pension because the pension will be paid earlier and for longer.
For more information on the NHS Pension visit the NHS Pension Scheme site www.pensions.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
