20 April 2007
Philip Dunne today questioned the Department of Health's decision to increase consultants' salaries without demonstrating any extra productivity in return.Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, today questioned the Department of Health's decision to increase consultants' salaries without demonstrating any extra productivity in return.

It comes after the National Audit Office revealed yesterday that hospital consultants pay had risen by an average of 27% in three years while their workload has fallen.

The NAO said the implementation of the contract in England for the first three years had cost £715 million - £150 million more than the Department of Health originally estimated.

Mr Dunne said: "The report is the latest in a series that have been critical of Health Ministers for increasing budgets without securing proportionate increases in productivity.

The new contract has cost the taxpayer £150 million yet patients have yet to see tangible improvements to their care.

I look forward to the Public Accounts Committee hearing when we can raise this with NHS and Health Department top brass.'