HCSA - the hospital doctors' union has urged the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) to recommend a pay award that takes meaningful steps towards reversing long‑term pay erosion, warning that a clear roadmap for above‑inflation pay rises is essential for all grades of hospital doctors across the UK.

Findings from HCSA’s annual Hospital Doctors at Work survey reveal a workforce under severe pressure, with nearly two‑thirds reporting low or very low morale, and almost two thirds saying they feel unreasonably stressed at least half the time. Hospital Doctors again identified higher basic wages as the most important factor for recruitment and retention, alongside calls for a stronger voice in service delivery decisions amid ongoing NHS reforms.

Hospital doctors also highlighted the persistent connection between feeling valued, pay and retention. Among those planning to leave the NHS, more than two thirds cited not feeling valued, while just under half pointed to pay deflation, figures that echo last year’s findings. Insufficient progress has been made towards resolving the gender and ethnicity pay gaps in medicine.

HCSA's written evidence to the DDRB also detailed concerns around training and the ongoing impact of pensions taxation.

HCSA will give oral evidence to the DDRB in January.

HCSA's full written submission is available here.