NHS prospects in Devon

[gowest]

Maybe not the right place to post this, but it's quite a specific NHS question (and have namechanged).

I'm a band 7 OT (£36,603) in Surrey, looking to relocate to Devon as I have family there. I also did my degree there so it's very familiar.

I have applied for (and been offered interviews) Band 6 posts. Now assuming I am offered a post, this would mean potentially being at the top of band 6 (£34,179), and then staying there. Oh and I'd want to stay working part time 3 days a week.

• have also posted this in chat -

I am so torn. The reasons for moving are the usual story, quality of life and cost of living.

I think the slight drop in income isn't the end of the world, but then knowing that there'd be nowhere to go from there is a bit depressing. I could take the hit and then be looking out for band 7 positions I suppose.

I hope this is making sense. There's a feeling of doing stuff that I've already done and not being challenged, but if I wait for band 7 i could be waiting forever.

My current job is OK but not particularly secure, so I could be on pay protected band 6 soon enough anyway.

Thoughts please?

Didn't mean to post about chat halfway through!

Bump for the evening crowd

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guess it all depends on the amount of OT posts available. There's no movement here in oxfordshire at the moment and when people do leave they are freezing posts.

I'm just advertising for band 3 support worker posts and I've got qualified OTs and nurses applying for them.

I wouldn't assume you'd walk into a band 6 at the top either. I've had a similar situation and questions were raised why I was offering at the top of band when there was sufficient at the bottom.

Thank-you. There does seem to be very few posts anywhere at the moment, and it seems to be a sign of the times that everyone is just staying put.

I interviewed for a band 4 post and had a qualified physio apply. Very sad.