Big pay rise for doctors

An overwhelming majority - 250 out of less than 300 doctors - last night voted in a secret ballot in favour of an agreement on salaries and working conditions that had been negotiated between the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) and the government.

Speaking to The Times early this morning, after the votes were counted, association general secretary Martin Balzan said the agreement represented a good deal not only for doctors, but for the whole country since it should translate in better quality of care.

The ballot was taken over a collective agreement for 2008 to 2012 which grants doctors a substantial pay rise and better working conditions.

The agreement covers doctors working in the public sector, ranging from house officers to consultants, those working in primary health care and those in the hospital's accident and emergency department.

It includes marked increases in salary across the board and the introduction of structured training, with allowances given for training.

It also envisages the start of afternoon sessions in hospital in a bid to cut waiting lists.

Consultants are to receive the biggest pay rise, with those forfeiting private practice set to earn more than double their salary, a rise from Lm13,011 (€30,307) this year to just over Lm28,000 (€65,222) in 2010.

They also have the possibility to choose between two other contracts which allow them to keep their private practice and earn a maximum of Lm24,173 (€56,308) in 2011.

Calls for designate consultant posts will be issued five-and-a-half years before a consultant reaches retirement age. The first calls will be out next March for those consultants retiring by 2013.

House officers are also due for a pay rise of around 50 per cent in the next four years.

First and second year house officers will be given the possibility to apply for specialist training posts.

Structured training will be available for senior house officers and registrars from January, and the doctors will be given four hours a week to dedicate for training.

Doctors are also entitled to a specialisation allowance as well as time for training.

Registrars and senior registrars - including those working at the Accident and Emergency Department - will be getting an increase in salary of up to Lm7,000 (€16,306) by 2011. Casualty doctors will see a doubling in their allowance by 2011.

Health centre doctors will also be getting double what they receive now in allowances by 2011.

When it comes to salary, these doctors will be bagging around Lm6,000 (€13,976) more by 2011.

Trainee general practitioners will be earning up to Lm16,091 (€37,482) in 2011 - up from the current Lm10,181 (€23,715).

They will also start benefiting from a merit award of Lm450 (€1,048) next year and Lm900 (€2,096) from 2011 to encourage them to take part in initiatives which improve standards.