HC Deb 25 July 1989 vol 157 cc673-4W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital physicists there are; what are their pay scales; and what duties they perform.

Mr. Mellor

At 30 September 1987 there were 790 (whole-time equivalents) physicists employed in the NHS in England; the role of the medical physicist is very varied and the specific duties will depend on an individual's contract with his/her employing authority; the salary scales are as follows:

Pay scales as at 1 April 1988
1988–89
£
Probationer—lower qualification
7,378
7,949
8,255
8,548
8,866
9,158
9,452
9,770
Probationer—higher qualification
8,255
8,548
8,866
9,158
9,452
9,770
10,063
10,369
Basic
8,548
8,866
9,158
9,452
9,770
10,063
10,568
11,073
Senior
11,778
12,163
12,814
13,440
14,091
14,742
15,394
Principal
15,180
15,899
16,630
17,347
18,078
18,810
19,527
20,258

1988–89
£
20,989
Top grade
21,136
21,893
23,090
24,193
25,297
Top grade—with greater responsibility
23,914
24,672
25,869
26,971
28,088

Negotiations on a pay increase from 1 April 1989 are still continuing and an interim offer of 5 per cent. has been made.