Employers’ groups and unions have cautiously welcomed a review of an NHS scheme that could see the bonuses of top doctors slashed.
Payouts of up to £76,000 are awarded to hospital consultants who are deemed to have performed over and above the usual standard expected of their NHS role as part of the consultant pay rewards scheme.
Last year the NHS spent more than £200 million on the awards which are paid out on top of consultant salaries, but health secretary Andrew Lansley announced that the clinical excellence and distinction awards scheme would be reviewed by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB).
The scheme was first introduced in 1948 but is being reviewed in order to “bring the awards scheme up to date and in line with other public sector pay schemes”.
Bill McMillan, head of medical pay and workforce for NHS Employers said “ the question is very much alive regarding whether or not a consistent scheme can be devised that provides employers with the flexibility to reward consultants in a way that is integrated into local systems and needs.”
