Consultants back Scottish contract

30 Oct 03
Scottish consultants have given an overwhelming thumbs-up to their new NHS contract.

31 October 2003

Scottish consultants have given an overwhelming thumbs-up to their new NHS contract.

In results announced on October 24, the British Medical Association said almost 80% of consultants and specialist registrars had voted in favour of the new deal, which will raise their starting salary by £10,000 to £65,035.

Last week, 60% of their English peers accepted the new contract. A ballot of consultants in Wales began on October 29 and will conclude on November 12. No date has been set for a vote in Northern Ireland.

Scottish consultants' leader Peter Terry said the vote heralded a new era for doctors. 'This contract is good for patients and good for consultants. Improved morale within the workforce will improve the quality of care patients receive,' he said.

Health care task force launched

The government and UK health care companies have launched a joint task force to both boost the industry's turnover and improve patient care.

The task force will be chaired by health minister Lord Warner and Smith & Nephew chief executive Sir Christopher O'Donnell.

The health care industry is made up of 1,800 companies varying from multinational firms to niche equipment manufacturers. It is estimated that the NHS buys £2.2bn of the industry's goods each year while products worth £1.6bn are exported.

'Great advances are being made in medical technology and I want to ensure we harness this expertise and maximise the benefits for the NHS, patients, industry and national economy,' Warner said.

O'Donnell added that companies would like to expand their partnerships with the medical professions and health care providers in the NHS.

The task force will run for a year and will include industry figures, science minister Lord Sainsbury and trade minister Mike O'Brien.

PFoct2003

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