07 November 2003
Suspended clinical staff are costing the NHS £40m each year because of the length of time it takes hospital trusts to investigate allegations against them, the National Audit Office has revealed.
In a highly critical report, the public spending watchdog says there is 'a pressing need' for health managers to improve their handling of suspension cases to speed up the process drastically and reduce the costs.
Fifty five per cent of suspended doctors are off work for more than six months: the current average is 47 weeks. The average for other clinical staff is 19 weeks.
As a result, although doctors account for only 20% of the 1,000 clinical staff suspended between April 2001 and July 2002, they generate 75% of the bill to the NHS. About 40% return to their jobs. Cases can drag on for months, or even years.
The research also found evidence that suspension was used inappropriately, for example where there had been a personality clash between staff members but there was no risk to patient safety.
The NAO's report, published on November 6, is damning in its conclusion. 'The numbers of exclusions and their length suggest that basic management principles are not being followed.'
It identifies the cost of hiring replacement staff, the time spent working on cases and legal costs as the main reasons for the £40m total. Salaries paid to staff on suspension account for £11m.
The NAO says trusts could save £14m annually if suspensions were resolved within six months. They should complete an initial investigation within two weeks, after which the staff member should either be formally suspended or reinstated.
Suspension should be used only where there is a risk to patient safety, and alternatives, such as restricting the employee's clinical activities, should be considered.
Auditor general Sir John Bourn said that trusts were guilty of 'a serious waste of resources'.
The NHS Confederation, which represents NHS managers, acknowledged that suspension may have been used 'too readily' in the past but said it was a 'necessary power'.
Policy manager Alastair Henderson said: 'The suspension of doctors is always a difficult and complex issue, but instances where the clinician involved is cleared do not mean that the original suspension was the wrong move.'
Dr Paul Miller, chair of the BMA's consultants' committee, said: 'It is clear from this report that the current process is far from being fair and transparent. It is also costing the NHS millions… It is vital that all cases are resolved at least within six months.'
PFnov2003
