The 2003 consultant contract is very different to its predecessor in terms of its structure content and need for regular review.

Since the contract was introduced for consultants and dental consultant in England in 2003, a large amount of advice and guidance has been issued by the Department of Health (DH) and the Modernisation Agency's Consultant Contract Implementation Team (CCIT), working in partnership with the British Medical Association (BMA) and other key stakeholders. 

The links to the right will help to guide you to the information you require, most of which can be found in the Reference manual, produced as part of the Consultant job planning toolkit.  Back issues of CCIT Update and the most up to date Frequently Asked Questions can be found in the Pay and Reward Collaboration area.

NHS Employers manage the negotiation infrastructure that supports discussion on pay and terms and conditions between NHS employers and unions, from time to time taking forward negotiations on specific contracts.

Key areas for negotiation currently include the continuing review of the 2003 consultant contract.  Click here for further information.

The NHS is still actively looking for ways in which consultant job planning and other elements of the 2003 consultant contract can be used to deliver better services for patients, improved working lives for doctors and more efficient service delivery.  Information on this 'Benefits realisation' work can be found here.