Salary
The income of a junior doctor consists of a base salary plus a banded supplement. This banded supplement is based on hours worked over the standard contracted hours and the proportion of that overtime that is worked at antisocial hours.
In 2011/12 the base salary was £22,412 for the most junior hospital doctor post (foundation year 1), and £27,798 for foundation year 2. The most common banding supplement is 40% (a significant number of posts carry no banding). The average foundation programme (as of 2011/12) will consist on two 40% banded jobs and one none banded job, giving a total gross income of £28,388.
Annual fees to remain registered as a doctor are high and in addition malpractice insurance, exam costs, membership of the relevant Royal college, fees for training, and costs of attending courses are largely borne by the employee. This results in between £420-£3000 of professional fees annually depending on stage of training. Average student debt is over £40,000.
The starting salary for junior doctors has been falling sharply over time (especially with reference to cost of living). In 2005, the average starting salary for a medical graduate was £32,086.
According to the British Medical Association, junior doctors have a lower starting salary than the average for graduates on other courses despite longer training.
As of 2008, first year junior doctors are no longer automatically entitled to free accommodation at their hospital. The British Medical Association claim this amounts to a £4,800 annual pay cut. Matthew Izett, a third year student doctor and British Medical Association rep said: "This accommodation makes up a significant proportion of the financial incentive for first-year junior doctors and we've taken what is effectively a 20% pay cut for junior doctors next year." The Department of Health have stated "Changes to the working patterns of junior doctors and new rotas make it unnecessary for them to be 'on call' meaning there is no residency requirement. It is therefore the case that free accommodation for junior doctors has not been a necessity for some time." Ann Keen, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health Services, stated "The provision of free accommodation for foundation year 1 doctors who are on call at night, is dependent on the contract of employment of the junior doctor, which is for agreement locally. The Junior Doctors Terms and Conditions of Service continue to provide that if a doctor is contractually required to live in hospital accommodation no charges should be made for the accommodation provided."
After five years the average junior doctor will have advanced to specialist registrar grade, earning an average salary of £48,000.
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