MSP attacks £100m bonuses for NHS consultants as nursing posts axed

Published on Saturday 16 July 2011 13:14

THE Scottish Government has spent £105 million on NHS consultant bonuses since 2007, the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

Answers to parliamentary questions submitted by the party also show that the government paid more than 27m in distinction awards to consultants in 2010-11.

Lib Dem health spokeswoman Alison McInnes criticised the SNP's priorities, after NHS figures published last month showed the number of nursing posts dropped by more than 700 in the six months to March.

She said: "The SNP have got completely distorted priorities. While nursing posts are being cut left, right and centre in Scotland, the SNP are still paying out a massive amount of money in consultant bonuses each year.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats are clear that the SNP need to get tough on bonuses, they have complete control over the situation.

"The health secretary needs to ask herself what sort of message this sends out to the public as they see front-line services being slashed right across Scotland."

A Scottish Government spokesman said a freeze on the value of existing awards and a suspension on making new awards was in place.

He said: "Under the previous administration, spending on distinction awards increased by 60 per cent, whereas this Scottish Government has frozen distinction awards since 2009-10, resulting in a saving of almost 3m. We were instrumental in achieving a UK-wide review of distinction awards, which was carried out by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body.

"We will look carefully at the findings of the review, expected to be published in the autumn, and act accordingly."