PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday 22nd MAY 2012

For immediate release

 

Suspended Clinical Excellence Awards are restored for 2012!

The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) welcomes the decision by the Minister of State for Health Simon Burns that awards for Clinical Excellence, made to highly performing Consultant medical staff, are to be restored for 2012.  
The Association had always believed that the Government was wrong to suspend these in 2011 and to treat them akin to "bonuses".

The funding of the awards is set by the Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body (DDRB), and forms part of the total pay budget for Consultant medical staff.  
The Clinical Excellence Awards are distributed to Consultants who are assessed against stringent criteria to be delivering sustained high quality clinical care.

The HCSA now urges all employers to get on with the awards locally as funding is readily available to complete the process.

This news comes soon after the HCSA made representations to both NHS employers and the Awards Advisory Committee (ACCAE) to push this matter on behalf of members.  We now wait with interest the independent report from (DDRB) and will make whatever comments are necessary to press home our members strong views on this matter.

Commenting on the announcement HCSA General Secretary Eddie Saville said:  "This is welcome news, these awards recognise performance over and above the standard expected of Consultants, and recognises exceptional personal contribution. We now expect that the Clinical Excellence Awards scheme will continue without future interference.”

ENDS

EDITORS NOTE:

The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) was formed in the same year as the National Health Service in 1949, and is affiliate to the Trade Unions Congress (TUC). It represents and supports medical Consultants and Specialists both in the NHS and in the private health sector.

CONTACT:

HCSA, 1 Kingsclere Road, Overton, Basingstoke. Hants RG25 3JA
Telephone: (01256) 771777
Fax: (01256) 770999  e-mail: conspec@hcsa.com
Website: www.hcsa.com

We are delighted to respond to press enquiries on any issues relevant to senior hospital medical staff. We can supply articulate and informed speakers for interview. Contact Eddie Saville, General Secretary, on the number above or 07714 748528.