WIREDGOV

In December 2003 an amended consultant contract was introduced in the NHS in Wales with a number of intended benefits for both consultants and the wider NHS. Between 2004 and 2011 some £35m was spent implementing the new contract which sought to improve consultants' working environment, enhance recruitment and retention, and encourage co-operation between health managers and consultants to provide a better service for patients. Effective job planning for consultants was central to securing these benefits.

Positively, consultant recruitment and retention have improved since the amended contract was introduced, with the number of full-time consultants increasing by 37 per cent between 2004 and 2011, and vacant posts falling by 6.3 per cent over the same period. In addition, the average length of a consultant's working week has reduced as a result of the amended contract. However, some consultants are still working excessively long hours. The audit found around one in six are working at least 46.5 hours and often exceeding the 48-hour European Working Time Directive limit.