The daily rates of external management consultants employed by NHS organisations could soon be published, if the demands of the Commons health committee are met.

The committee made its call in an unusual one-off report published last week. MPs said they felt moved to issue the report after the 2007-08 NHS accounts revealed primary care trusts, acute trusts and strategic health authorities were spending in the region of £300m a year. That sum excluded spending by foundation trusts.

Giving evidence on NHS spending late last year Department of Health officials told the committee the day rate for senior consultants was “usually in excess of £1,000” while junior consultants came in at around £400 to £500.

Topics