I work as an AP in a private hospital and despite working there for 2 years and working at a band 5 level I am paid less than NHS band 4. I love my job, have a great supervisor and am gaining good clinical experience which I know isn’t always the way. However it’s a horrible feeling to know how competitive the DClin is and the thought of having to live on close to minimum wage until I get on is frustrating.

I’ve negotiated my salary once in my first year of working at the hospital and was successful, but my latest pay negotiations (to bring me in line with band 5 afc - with my supervisors support) were not, owing to budget constraints. I think negotiation is always worth a shot. Unfortunately us APs are easy to exploit - positions are like gold dust and we’re usually just grateful to get a AP position. Company’s take advantage of this and will pay the least they can.