GP, Dentistry and Optometry

Working as a GP, Dentist or Optometrist for
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

GENERAL PRACTITIONERS (GPS)

GPs can either be engaged directly in private sector or employed directly by the health board as a ‘salaried GP’.

Independent GP practices are contracted for their services by the NHS via a General Medical Services (GMS) contract. However, the employment of the staff is under a local arrangement and not by the health board. Therefore, this recruitment is undertaken by the partners of the practice and T&Cs are locally negotiated at that level.

The basic remuneration as a ‘salaried GP’ employed by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is in-line with Welsh Government medical and dental pay circulars. Employment into the health board would be under local health board T&Cs, this includes automatic enrolment into the NHS pension scheme, 33 days annual leave (pro-rata) plus statutory Bank Holidays. Full-time contract of 37.5 hours per week of which 3 hours are attributed to Continuous Personal Development (CPD).

Independent practice vacancies can be advertised and viewed here: https://www.gpwales.co.uk/

DENTISTS

Dentists can either be engaged directly by a NHS General Dental Practice or employed by the health board as a salaried ‘Community Dental Services’ dentist.

NHS General Dental practices are contracted for their services by the NHS via a General Dental Services (GDS) contract. However, the employment of the staff is under a local arrangement and not by the Local Health Board. Therefore, this recruitment is undertaken by the GDS contract holder, usually the “provider”, and T&Cs are locally negotiated with the practice.

The basic remuneration as a salaried ‘Community Dental Services’ dentist, employed by ABUHB, is in-line with Welsh Government medical and dental pay circulars. Employment into the health board would be under Welsh Government ‘Community Dental Services’ T&Cs.

OPTOMETRISTS

Optometrists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, high street optometrists, research, teaching, and other health settings. If you work in a hospital or clinic, you’ll be seeing and treating those most in need of urgent attention. You might also work in local health centers and community clinics. You might also undertake some related work in a laboratory or industry setting.

As an Optometrist employed by the NHS, you would be covered by the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay scale and T&Cs. Staff in the NHS will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week (full-time). They may work shift patterns. NHS staff will also be automatically enrolled into the NHS pension scheme and attract between 27–33 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays (depending on previous services).

As a trainee optometrist in a hospital, you would typically start on band 4. As a qualified and registered optometrist, you would start on band 6. With further training, education and experience, you could apply for more senior posts such as specialist optometrist at band 7 or principle optometrist at bands 8a-8b. As a consultant optometrist or head of service, you could be on band 8d.

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