Audit Committee's concerns remain over consultant contract
CAU008/2006 | 16 November 2006
Poor information led to a significant underestimate of the costs of the NHS consultant contract and undermined the effectiveness of negotiations to deliver it, according to the Scottish Parliament’s Audit Committee.
In a report out today the committee also found that the contract does not fully take into account the differing characteristics and challenges facing the NHS in Scotland.
View the report.
The committee concludes that the patient benefits expected from the investment in the contract are not being demonstrated.
Committee convener Brian Monteith MSP said:
"The Auditor General for Scotland’s report estimates the cumulative additional cost of the consultant contract in Scotland over the first three years as £235m which is a very significant investment.
"That is why over the past two and a half years our committee has devoted considerable time and energy to scrutinising it’s implementation.
"In two successive overview reports on NHS performance we expressed concern about inaccurate cost estimates, lack of information, lack of clarity about the benefits to patients and the contract’s failure to properly reflect Scotland’s needs.
"Having now considered the AGS report on the implementation of the contract in Scotland these concerns remain. For example, the committee is extremely critical of the decision not to collect information on consultant working patterns in Scotland .”
The report concluded that the contract has the potential to both fairly remunerate consultants and deliver improved patient services – but it is not being used to best effect. The committee is therefore recommending that it be kept under review to ensure that the expected patient benefits are delivered in future.
The committee also found that the current operation of the contract falls short of what is required to ensure that its objectives are met. For example the quality of consultant job planning is patchy and must be improved if the contract is to lead to better services for patients.
Background
The report sets out the committee’s findings and recommendations in relation to its inquiry into the report of the Auditor General for Scotland entitled: “Implementing the NHS consultant contract in Scotland ” (AGS/2006/3).
In July 2000 the English Department of Health announced UK wide pay modernisation schemes affecting most NHS staff. The four UK health departments produced a draft framework in June 2002 and the contract was finally agreed in 2003 and implemented in 2004.
The contract represents a major cultural change within the NHS and is the single biggest change to the way in which consultants work since the previous contract for consultants was agreed in 1948.
The Audit Committee is unique amongst the Scottish Parliament’s committees in that its remit is based on reports laid before or made to the Parliament.
The committee’s primary function might be described as holding to account those who spend public funds to ensure that this is done efficiently and effectively.
The contact for members of the media is:
Richard Holligan: 0131 348 5605 RNID TypeTalk Calls welcome Email:Richard.holligan@scottish.parliament.uk
Audit Committee contact information
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0845 270 0152 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk
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