NHS staff contracts cost four times estimate

The new consultants' contract in Scotland cost almost four times more than originally estimated, Audit Scotland found, with no clear evidence it has yet improved patient care. The deal for hospital specialists was a UK-wide one and despite some distinct features of the Scottish health service, National Health Service auditors said there was no reason the picture should be any different in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Audit Scotland found the new deal was originally expected to add £64m over three years to consultants' pay. Instead, it added £235m producing a 38 per cent rise. If other costs and inflation are added in, the increase is 44 per cent, making NHS consultants the second highest paid hospital specialists in the world, according to the Treasury's analysis.

The contract had the potential to improve patient care, but convincing evidence of that had yet to be seen, Audit Scotland said. The National Audit Office is undertaking a similar study for England which, because it will cover a later time period, may produce more evidence of benefit for the extra cash.Nicholas Timmins

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