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MPs attack consultant pay hikes MPs attack consultant pay hikes
(about 4 hours later)
Big pay rises given to hospital consultants in England have failed to translate into a better service for patients, say MPs.Big pay rises given to hospital consultants in England have failed to translate into a better service for patients, say MPs.
A Committee of Public Accounts report says consultant pay rose by 27% in two years to an average of £110,000, after a new contract was introduced in 2003.A Committee of Public Accounts report says consultant pay rose by 27% in two years to an average of £110,000, after a new contract was introduced in 2003.
But working hours decreased, and figures suggest productivity fell by 0.5% in the first year of the contract.But working hours decreased, and figures suggest productivity fell by 0.5% in the first year of the contract.
The British Medical Association said consultants were 'worth every penny'. The British Medical Association said consultants were "worth every penny".
Anyone who is puzzled how large quantities of money can be poured into the NHS to so little effect should examine the example of the new contract for consultants Edward Leigh MPCommittee of Public AccountsAnyone who is puzzled how large quantities of money can be poured into the NHS to so little effect should examine the example of the new contract for consultants Edward Leigh MPCommittee of Public Accounts
The new contract was the first major revision of consultants' pay for over 50 years.The new contract was the first major revision of consultants' pay for over 50 years.
The aim was to make NHS work more attractive to senior doctors, to increase the time they spent with patients, cut their amount of private work, and make the service more flexible and responsive to patient need. The aim was to make NHS work more attractive to senior doctors, to increase the time they spent with patients, cut their amount of private work, and make the service was more flexible and responsive to patient need.
But the MPs' report says implementation of the contract was rushed after protracted wrangling over its content, managers were left in the dark about its aims, and the NHS has yet to see many of the intended benefits.But the MPs' report says implementation of the contract was rushed after protracted wrangling over its content, managers were left in the dark about its aims, and the NHS has yet to see many of the intended benefits.
Soaring costsSoaring costs
Edward Leigh MP, committee chairman, said: "Anyone who is puzzled how large quantities of money can be poured into the NHS to so little effect should examine the example of the new contract for consultants.Edward Leigh MP, committee chairman, said: "Anyone who is puzzled how large quantities of money can be poured into the NHS to so little effect should examine the example of the new contract for consultants.
The relentless criticism of consultants and their pay is unreasonable and uncalled for when the vast majority are going the extra mile to ensure patients get the best possible care Dr Jonathan FieldenBritish Medical AssociationThe relentless criticism of consultants and their pay is unreasonable and uncalled for when the vast majority are going the extra mile to ensure patients get the best possible care Dr Jonathan FieldenBritish Medical Association
"The plain fact is that the Department of Health greatly increased consultants' salaries without securing any extra productivity from them.""The plain fact is that the Department of Health greatly increased consultants' salaries without securing any extra productivity from them."
Mr Leigh said the rushed implementation led to many managers agreeing hours of work with their consultants that the trusts could not afford.Mr Leigh said the rushed implementation led to many managers agreeing hours of work with their consultants that the trusts could not afford.
Over the first three years, the Department allocated an additional £715m to NHS trusts - £150m more than originally estimated as necessary to fund the contract. Over the first three years, the department allocated an additional £715m to NHS trusts - £150m more than originally estimated as necessary to fund the contract.
NHS trusts still believe, however, that the contract has been under-funded.NHS trusts still believe, however, that the contract has been under-funded.
While numbers of consultants went up by 13%, total consultant activity increased by just 9% and the number of patients treated per consultant fell year-on-year until 2005/06.While numbers of consultants went up by 13%, total consultant activity increased by just 9% and the number of patients treated per consultant fell year-on-year until 2005/06.
The average consultant's NHS work fell from 51.6 to 50.2 hours a week.The average consultant's NHS work fell from 51.6 to 50.2 hours a week.
Mr Leigh said: "The point was lost that the deal was to deliver improved and new services for patients and not entrench existing ways of working.Mr Leigh said: "The point was lost that the deal was to deliver improved and new services for patients and not entrench existing ways of working.
"NHS consultants must now justify their big jump in pay: by giving more support to the redesign of services and by changing their working culture.""NHS consultants must now justify their big jump in pay: by giving more support to the redesign of services and by changing their working culture."
Cultural changesCultural changes
Alastair Henderson, of NHS Employers, acknowledged there had been concerns about the implementation of the contract.Alastair Henderson, of NHS Employers, acknowledged there had been concerns about the implementation of the contract.
"However, the committee's stark conclusions don't acknowledge the radical cultural change inherent in the contract and therefore the time required to deliver its full benefits," he said."However, the committee's stark conclusions don't acknowledge the radical cultural change inherent in the contract and therefore the time required to deliver its full benefits," he said.
"Trusts worked hard to implement the new contract across the NHS and are now using it to help deliver better patient services.""Trusts worked hard to implement the new contract across the NHS and are now using it to help deliver better patient services."
Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the BMA's Consultants Committee, rounded on Mr Leigh.Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the BMA's Consultants Committee, rounded on Mr Leigh.
He said: "He ignores the vast efforts that consultants have made to reduce waiting times and improve patient care and fails to appreciate the enormous pressure that hospital trusts have been under to meet government targets.He said: "He ignores the vast efforts that consultants have made to reduce waiting times and improve patient care and fails to appreciate the enormous pressure that hospital trusts have been under to meet government targets.
"The 2003 contract recognises how hard consultants are working and allows their pay to be linked to the care they deliver to NHS patients."The 2003 contract recognises how hard consultants are working and allows their pay to be linked to the care they deliver to NHS patients.
"Despite this, many consultants continue to put in the extra hours, unpaid, to ensure that patients get the quality of service they require."Despite this, many consultants continue to put in the extra hours, unpaid, to ensure that patients get the quality of service they require.
"The relentless criticism of consultants and their pay is unreasonable and uncalled for when the vast majority are going the extra mile to ensure patients get the best possible care - our consultants are worth every penny.""The relentless criticism of consultants and their pay is unreasonable and uncalled for when the vast majority are going the extra mile to ensure patients get the best possible care - our consultants are worth every penny."
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "Hospital doctors save lives every day. It is right and proper they are adequately rewarded."Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "Hospital doctors save lives every day. It is right and proper they are adequately rewarded."
But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb accused the government of incompetence.
He said: "You can't blame consultants for accepting this generous contract, but why did ministers sign off this settlement when it was clearly such a bad deal for taxpayers and patients?
"After three years of negotiations, the government conspired to produce a contract that hiked wages by a quarter and yet allowed consultants to work less hours without increasing their productivity."