MASSIVE EXTRA payments to Tayside’s highly paid doctors came under scrutiny yesterday, writes Marjory Inglis, health reporter.

A Tayside health boss hit out at the lack of local control over £3.1 million of extra payments to already highly-paid consultants.

Non-executive board director Andrew Richmond was clearly frustrated by the system of “distinction” awards that tops up the salaries of senior doctors, many of whom already earn a “basic” salary of £100,000.

He complained about a lack of flexibility around how the extra funding allocated to the health board for these awards was used.

A debate was sparked at yesterday’s strategic policy and resources committee meeting in King’s Cross Hospital, Dundee, when finance director David Clark reported that the Scottish Government had allocated £3.1m to fund the distinction awards.

NHS Tayside has 69 consultants paid considerable sums on top of their salary through the scheme—which can add more than £74,000.

Mr Richmond asked if the £3.1m could be spent differently.

Mr Clark said there were national discussions to alter the system and give more local control but in essence it would still be decided and funded centrally.

He said the system was “cost neutral” to boards as the funding needed to make the payments was provided by central government.

Mr Richmond asked, “What opportunity do we have as a health board to take that money and decide to use it in a different way?”

Several voices around the table chorused, “None.”

Mr Richmond vented his frustration at the lack of “influence” he and his colleagues had on the way the £3.1m was spent.

He said, “I want to use the sums of money in a way that is better going to serve the people of Tayside.”