Many IMGs land their first NHS job expecting a stable monthly income—only to be stunned when their take-home pay falls far short of the contract figure. What went wrong? One word: banding. NHS pay isn’t just about your base salary; the banding supplement adds a crucial chunk to your pay—but only if your rota qualifies. Not all roles come with nights or on-calls, and your Trust Grade title alone doesn’t guarantee banding.
Here’s what you must check before signing your offer:
✅ “Is this post banded, and at what rate?”
✅ “Is the advertised salary inclusive of banding?”
✅ “Can I see a sample rota?”
If you're already working and think you're being underpaid:
🧾 Review your contract line-by-line
📞 Ask payroll/HR for a salary breakdown
🗣️ Compare pay with colleagues in similar roles
📬 Contact the BMA for contract help
Don’t let vague job descriptions drain your income.
📖 Read the full article to understand how banding works and what you can do about it.
👉 Have you ever been surprised by your NHS payslip? Did your salary match what you expected? Share your experience below—others could learn from your story.