FOI release

Band 7 sonographer RRP payment reduction

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2026/02316

Received 31 May 2026

Published 12 August 2026

Request

Please provide copies of any papers, reports, minutes, business cases, consultation documents, review documents, action logs, implementation plans, decision records, briefing papers, recommendations, or correspondence relating to the review and reduction of Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) for Band 7 Sonographers at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 1 January 2024 onwards.

This request includes documents relating to:

1. the review, consultation, amendment, reduction, continuation, implementation, or planned implementation of RRP for Band 7 sonographers in radiology, imaging, diagnostics, ultrasound, maternity and/or obstetric ultrasound services;

2 the decision to reduce sonographer RRP from 15% to 12%, including any evidence, rationale, benchmarking, labour market analysis, sustainability or affordability assessment, equality/equity considerations, vacancy or recruitment data, and any review undertaken in line with NHS Terms and Conditions of Service;

3 any consultation or implementation activity relating to sonographer RRP between April 2025 and November 2026, including (but not limited to) consultation meetings, decision notifications, implementation planning, and six-month review arrangements;

4 any records held by Trust Management Executive (TME), Pay Panel, Workforce/HR governance, divisional workforce governance, radiology/imaging/diagnostics services, maternity services, or Trust Board governance concerning sonographer Recruitment and Retention Premia.  

Response

Please provide copies of any papers, reports, minutes, business cases, consultation documents, review documents, action logs, implementation plans, decision records, briefing papers, recommendations, or correspondence relating to the review and reduction of Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) for Band 7 Sonographers at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 1 January 2024 onwards.

This request includes documents relating to:

1. the review, consultation, amendment, reduction, continuation, implementation, or planned implementation of RRP for Band 7 sonographers in radiology, imaging, diagnostics, ultrasound, maternity and/or obstetric ultrasound services;  This is attached for both Radiology and SUWON staff

2 the decision to reduce sonographer RRP from 15% to 12%, including any evidence, rationale, benchmarking, labour market analysis, sustainability or affordability assessment, equality/equity considerations, vacancy or recruitment data, and any review undertaken in line with NHS Terms and Conditions of Service; RRP paper attached for CSS and SUWON which has been approved by the People and Communications Committee.

3 any consultation or implementation activity relating to sonographer RRP between April 2025 and November 2026, including (but not limited to) consultation meetings, decision notifications, implementation planning, and six-month review arrangements;  Attached are the letters outlining the reduction, script for consultation minutes, the review will be 6 months after the implementation of the reduction - which is the 6th May.

4 any records held by Trust Management Executive (TME), Pay Panel, Workforce/HR governance, divisional workforce governance, radiology/imaging/diagnostics services, maternity services, or Trust Board governance concerning sonographer Recruitment and Retention Premia.  As attached – the papers are the same throughout, this goes to the people and Communications Committee that meets bimonthly

 

Please note: All redacted attachments have been done so under section 40(2) of the FOIA. This have been done to remove names and contact information.

Documents

This is Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

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