There are real concessions here from the Department of Health, for the first time. This represents genuine progress, and is a tribute to the brilliant campaigning work that has been done around the country. There is no question that the shift from the Department of Health is due to considerable pressure from below.

Looking at the detail of these policies, I actually don't feel we should be in a hurry to sign them off. Many of the changes that were requested have not been accepted, and a few quite worrying changes have crept in.

There continue to be significant issues even for very experienced generalist therapists, who will have a great deal of difficulty getting beyond Band 6.

The Principal profile has moved to Band 8 (as we argued), but has done so not by having enhanced clinical responsibilities, but through the allocation of clearly managerial duties. The danger here is that people we regard as Principals will be pushed down into the Highly Specialist profile, and that only managers will slot into this profile.

The Consultant profile continues to under-estimate the skills of this extremely expert group of staff. There are particular issues around the levels for Communication Skills and for Knowledge, Training and Experience.

There have been real gains recently in the draft profiles for Clinical Psychologists, and a detailed comparison of what's on offer is likely to be worthwhile.

I would be very interested in receiving comments on these profiles.

Gill George
Secretary, London SLT Advisory Committee

24th November 2003