As a nurse at the East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, England, colleagues and recruits have often asked me how increments work in the National Health Service (NHS).
In this article, I will explain the Agenda for Change (AfC) system, which governs pay progression through increments in the NHS in England.
How do increments work?
The AfC system is designed to provide a fair and transparent way to determine pay and progression for NHS staff based on their qualifications, experience, and performance.
It is made up of nine pay bands, which are based on the level of skills and responsibility required for a particular role.
Staff members typically start at the bottom of the pay band for their role and can progress to the top through experience and performance.
NHS Pay Bands
The nine pay bands in the AfC system are:
- Band 2: Entry-level roles, such as healthcare assistants
- Band 3: Administrative and support roles
- Band 4: Senior administrative and support roles
- Band 5: Qualified nurses and allied health professionals
- Band 6: Senior nurses and allied health professionals
- Band 7: Advanced nurses and allied health professionals
- Band 8: Senior managers and leaders
- Band 9: Executive directors and senior leaders
Increment Dates
The increment date on an NHS payslip refers to the date a staff member becomes eligible for a pay rise. This date is usually the anniversary of their appointment or the date they progressed to their current pay band.
How long does reaching the top of Band 6 in NHS take?
Staff in Band 6 move from the bottom to the middle increment after two years and to the top increment after three years. Therefore, it takes five years to reach the top of Band 6.
Can you jump from Band 5 to Band 7 on NHS?
No, staff cannot jump directly from Band 5 to Band 7. They must progress through the pay bands based on their experience and performance.
Who gets Band 9 NHS?
Band 9 is reserved for executive directors and senior leaders in the NHS.
NHS Pay Rise 2024/25
The NHS pay rise for 2024/25 has yet to be announced. However, the NHS has a long history of providing annual pay raises to its staff.
FAQs
- How do increments work in NHS England?: Increments in NHS England work based on the AfC system, which provides a fair and transparent way to determine pay and progression for NHS staff.
- How do increments work in the NHS Mumsnet?: Mumsnet is a parenting website that provides information on various topics, including NHS pay and increments. The information on NHS increments on Mumsnet is based on the AfC system.
- How do increments work in the NHS 2021?: In 2021, the NHS implemented a new pay deal that gave most staff a 3% pay rise. The pay deal also introduced a new pay structure, which affected how increments work in the NHS.
- How do increments work in the NHS Scotland?: NHS Scotland has its own pay and grading system, which differs from the AfC system used in NHS England. However, both systems have similar principles of increments and pay progression.
I hope this article has provided a comprehensive guide to increments in the NHS. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or need clarification on my points.