McKee calls on Scots to lead bonus freeze

SNP Lothians MSP Ian McKee has called on the Scottish Government to be ready to go it alone in reforming consultants' bonuses, which cost the taxpayer £28 million a year.

Dr McKee, a former Wester Hailes GP, successfully persuaded Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon to freeze the distinction awards – which go to half of all consultants by the time they retire but do not cover any other NHS staff.

Ms Sturgeon also wrote to all other health secretaries in the UK, suggesting a co-ordinated review. So far, the Welsh health minister has responded, backing a UK-wide review.

Dr McKee said he hoped the UK and Northern Ireland governments would also agree.

But he said: "If not, I believe Scotland should go it alone. Why don't we eventually get rid of these awards altogether or start a new scheme that rewards genuine exceptional merit for all health workers, not just doctors?"

Dr McKee said there was "an insidious bonus culture" where senior consultants already on six-figure salaries received distinction awards of up to 76,000.

Dr McKee said the freeze announced by Ms Sturgeon meant a saving of 2m which could be used elsewhere in the NHS.