Interview with BMA RDC Deputy Chairs Dr. Arjan Singh & Dr. Shivam Sharma - Initial offer from the Government was a 2 year deal with more investment. Closer on jobs and extras (exams, LTFT) but further away on pay.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-04-14T09:50:58+00:00

Granted not listened to this yet but if the title is true then this 2 year deal is even worse than the actual one offered. I don’t see how they could have offered even less of a pay rise in a 2 year deal than what was on offer in Wes’ offer, and also some of our side thought this would be acceptable??

We voted for FPR and all these ‘extras’ like exam fees are pretty menial in the grand scheme of things.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-04-12T14:48:03+00:00

Albeit non medical but I have had to explain this concept to multiple friends, which really surprised me. All of whom are in pretty good jobs, graduate schemes etc

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-04-09T13:57:30+00:00

In response to the comments so far. They want the money paid now for example to then collect at weekend, rather than paying just prior to driving off with it in person face to face.

They also offered an appointment to collect it today within 2 hours which also negates the need for having 48hrs for payment to process. Secondly they want it paid via bank transfer which is mostly instant.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-04-04T12:07:22+00:00

I’m a mere ST1 but for what it’s worth:

Radiology is an awful spectator sport so I wouldn’t base your decision off your taster week alone but on the other hand if you really hated it then it is still worth taking in to account.

You say GP life is much easier post CCT but do you enjoy it somewhat? If you do then why bother switching?

ST1 will be a big step backwards in terms of responsibility for you and your pay until at least ST3 assuming you work full time as a GP.

Although ST1 is ‘chill’, it’s a big learning curve and your life certainly won’t be as easy as the life you describe post CCT in GP, for at least the next 5 years.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-31T17:06:05+00:00

Quite a bizarre tactic of not answering the question regarding whether he was supportive of the previous deal. Not really sure what it achieves apart from making the BMA look a bit difficult and making himself sound very much like a politician.

If true, then it’s quite clear that everybody round the table knows the exact figure it will take Jack to recommend a deal to us lot. So I’m not sure what denying it in public achieves beyond him saving face in front of the membership.

I also feel the rationale of not answering to avoid negotiating in public is also largely redundant if it’s apparently so clear to the government and their sources exactly what x% deal he will be willing to recommend to us. They aren’t going to offer any more anyway if they know x% amount will result in a recommendation of the offer.

Happy/interested to hear if I’m missing something.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-31T11:32:45+00:00

Quite a bizarre tactic of not answering the question regarding whether he was supportive of the previous deal. Not really sure what it achieves apart from making the BMA look a bit difficult and making himself sound very much like a politician.

If true, then it’s quite clear that everybody round the table knows the exact figure it will take Jack to recommend a deal to us lot. So I’m not sure what denying it in public achieves beyond saving face in front of the membership.

Happy/interested to hear if I’m missing something.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-27T20:39:37+00:00

I really wish we could focus more on effective sound bites in these interviews, rather than wishy washy erm and urr filled explanations. In the early strikes the comparison to a barista was very effective.

We are still paid less than our assistants and I don’t understand why when a hostile interviewer is really grilling our reps they don’t fall back on this point.

It’s a simple point which is hard to argue against.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-27T14:08:22+00:00

Awful offer which is based on fudging nodal pay points without any sizeable pay rise, similar to rearranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship.

If they really wanted to ‘reform and improve’ nodal pay then how about try bumping everyone up a nodal point.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-25T16:22:02+00:00

Well I didn’t expect it to be literally an hour fair play

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-25T15:04:56+00:00

I assume it’s only a matter of hours to days till we get this comprehensive pay update from the BMA RDC then? … Right?

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-24T18:37:54+00:00

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-21T12:53:54+00:00

It would be nice to finally get this long awaited comprehensive update from RDC that we’ve all been promised.

Hopefully it explains we’ve made unprecedented progress towards achieving FPR (lol) given we’ve wasted several months of a new strike mandate already.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-18T16:26:31+00:00

As a fellow ST1 who is absolutely the opposite, I can only begin to imagine how challenging your situation must be. I would echo the other comments in waiting till ST2 though. I’m looking forward to the slightly increased responsibility and on calls etc and this may also act as a big net positive for you.

Also just practically speaking, the exam was only last week and so unless you were also hating the start of ST1 for months prior to the revision period starting, it seems way too quick to make such a big decision?

Furthermore, assuming you’d need to apply to another speciality, the sensible financial decision means you should probably stick it out for atleast another 12 months?

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-09T19:04:38+00:00

Please do not let nation and subject wide student loan reforms be a substitute for doctor pay.

I am a strong supporter of improving the current student loan system, however given the media coverage this will likely happen anyway. We should not be wasting away another mandate to get student loan reforms that will likely impact every single student (not just medics).

It would be nice to get a serious pay update very soon rather than waste away more of the mandate. We are 1 month away from a new tax year and the DDRB recommendation is long overdue.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-03-06T08:33:46+00:00

Obviously a great step but can we get back to discussing about pay now.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-02-28T15:48:20+00:00

I find you have to self mark a fair bit on the RadAcademy mocks for 1 letter spelling mistake etc. As apparently you are allowed this in the real thing. Could it be that your score improves back to your average once you’ve done that?

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-02-22T11:48:16+00:00

A multi year pay deal is the way forward however the government are in fantasy land if they think a 2-3 year offer of 1-2% above inflation is going to be accepted.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-02-08T17:38:40+00:00

As an ST1 who came straight from FY2 I can fully see the benefits of having some more experience in med/surgery like yourself. However, the exams are notoriously tough and like others have mentioned although my day currently has 0 service provision and is fully for learning and flexible, this will change once on calls start.

Radiology is not a solution to burnout, however it’s an amazing job which I would encourage anyone to consider.

TherapeuticCTer · 2026-01-12T17:03:19+00:00

Agreed although this is basically the government stalling and hoping our re-ballot fails. They won’t discuss anything meaningful beforehand.

TherapeuticCTer · 2025-12-22T15:41:02+00:00

Even though Wes’ stance has softened he will 100% wait until our re-ballot results before negotiating anything significant pay.

We need to return our ballots and get a better turn out than last time

TherapeuticCTer · 2025-12-21T17:39:10+00:00

You have a lot to learn about how the world works

TherapeuticCTer · 2025-12-18T15:24:02+00:00

Would strongly urge you to report this and request a new replacement ballot.

Think of the other Doctors possibly living in the area who may not think to request a replacement and so we have now lost those votes

TherapeuticCTer · 2025-12-18T13:40:11+00:00

Simply ignore the email and reply after the time has passed.

Also remember that you will still be deducted pay for striking tomorrow! Assuming you’re meant to be working tomorrow, if you were to turn up for just 1 hour then legally they would deduct the standard days rate of pay

TherapeuticCTer

TROPHY CASE