MPs say NHS consultants should not do private work

The British government should make it a “long term objective” that consultants in the NHS should not practise privately, says a report of the House of Commons health committee's inquiry into consultants' contracts.

Of the 23000 consultants in the NHS, 16000 do some private practice. Those on whole time contracts (58% of all consultants) must not receive more than 10% of their NHS salary from private practice. Those with a maximum part time contract (24%) receive 10/11 of the NHS salary and have no limit on their private earnings.

The …