Press release: NHS Confederation welcomes agreement on the new consultants' contract

18 Jul 2003

Responding to John Reid's statement on the new consultants' contract, Dr Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "As one of the parties to the original framework agreement and the current discussions, the NHS Confederation is delighted that agreement has been reached between the BMA negotiators and the Government over the new consultants' contract."
"It is clear that there was a genuine desire to reach agreement and sensible discussions on all sides."
"The talks managed to address the concerns expressed by the BMA on behalf of consultants whilst retaining the essence of the original contract. It will assist the NHS in the process of modernising and improving services for patients."
"We believe that the contract is a good deal for consultants and for the NHS and hope that it is accepted by consultants as soon as possible."

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
   

Contact details

1. Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
   

Back to media centre