CONSULTANTS' CONTRACT ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GROSS INCOMPETENCE - LAMB

12.01.00am GMT Thu 22nd Nov 2007

Commenting on today's report from the Public Accounts Committee into the 2003 contract for NHS consultants, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "Each new day brings further revelations of gross incompetence by the Government."

"You can't blame consultants for accepting this generous contract, but why did ministers sign off this settlement when it was clearly such a bad deal for taxpayers and patients?"

"After three years of negotiations, the Government conspired to produce a contract that hiked wages by a quarter and yet allowed consultants to work less hours without increasing their productivity."

"This pay deal is a damning indictment of the Government's stewardship of the NHS - pouring billions of pounds into a system without guaranteeing better care for patients."