Press release: NHS employers respond to new consultants' contract proposals
21 Feb 2001
Responding to the government's proposals for a new contract for consultants, Stephen Thornton, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS employers in the negotiations, said, "this is a much needed new approach. It is important that consultants become more accountable than was the case when the original contract was first negotiated. It is vital we now sit down together with the government and the British Medical Association (BMA) and reach a final agreement so we can press on and modernise the NHS for the benefit of patients".
Commenting on the details of the proposed new contract, Andrew Foster, human resources policy director for the Confederation who has worked closely with both government and the BMA on these issues said, "we are particularly pleased to see our idea of "phased careers" for consultants built into the new arrangements. This will both provide more attractive careers for consultants and help the NHS to make the most sensible use of their skills and experience, particularly in the later stages of their working lives. We also welcome the numerous opportunities for local flexibility in the proposals. Above all, we welcome the inclusion of mandatory job planning linked to consultant appraisal. This will be vital if doctors and managers are to work in a partnership to improve patient care in which their responsibilities and relationship are absolutely clear".
Commenting on the detailed proposals for the creation of a new Awards Scheme, Andrew Foster said, "we particularly welcome the consolidation of the discretionary points and merit awards into one single coherent scheme. We agree with the government's criticisms that the existing arrangements are not sufficiently open nor linked to achieving excellent patient services. They need to be swept away. We will be responding in detail to the consultation. Our concern will be to ensure that the new arrangements are flexible, transparent and better reward those who deliver clinical excellence for patients".
"However, there remain a number of unanswered questions", warned Foster. "We must incorporate into the new contract, modernised arrangements for covering consultants' hours of work. The new salary levels offered by the government represent a generous increase and these must also pay for consultants working the patterns of hours needed by a modern 24-hour health service. The BMA must not think it can seek yet further additional financial reward beyond what is on the table. The new contract must address all of the weaknesses of the 1948 version so that we are able to achieve higher productivity, greater flexibility and better quality of care in return for fair and properly targeted reward".
Ends
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation is uniquely placed to be the voice of NHS management, as the only membership body for all NHS organisations. Our members include more than 95% of NHS trusts and health authorities in England and Wales; primary care groups; health boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland. The new English primary care trusts have joined.
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