Skills for Health reaction to senior doctors’ overtime investigation 

Healthcare staff walking down the corridor of a hospital
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By Skills for Health | 8 November 2024

According to a BBC investigation, pressure to cut NHS waiting lists has led to some senior doctors earning more than £200,000 a year in overtime – a figure which is nearly double the average basic pay for a full-time consultant in England. 

Responding to the BBC’s findings, Skills for Health Managing Director Jon Czul said: 

“Its understandable that there are concerns around excessive overtime payments to senior doctors, particularly when the NHS is under significant financial pressures. 

“Senior doctors are vital to cutting patient waiting times, however, there are immediate practical steps Trusts can take now to reduce their overtime spend. Although skills shortages are a national issue, we have seen incredible progress within Trusts that invest in their workforce planning capacity and capabilities. 

“Bringing spend on overtime back into line with what more people would feel comfortable with, requires the application of data modelling, methodology and strategic thinking to the workforce planning process. 

“For example, a full review and evaluation of all available demographic and workforce data, backed by a project plan with clear milestones, risks, and deliverables to enable quick mobilisation provides one such avenue to enable Trusts to get on top of this issue. 

“Whilst reform of contractual arrangements now appears to be on the cards in light of the BBC investigation, this will, of course, take some time. And so, Trusts would do well to act now by investing in strategic workforce planning as a way of managing their finite human and financial resources more wisely.” 

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