Temps will be used to run extra doc clinics

Existing staff who work extra hours to support the additional clinics will be paid under the ‘Agenda for Change’ terms and conditions.

The Minister was asked “what additional secretarial and administrative support the Southern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts have put in place to support their extra consultant clinics?”

He replied: “When the Health and Social Care Board agrees to fund additional Consultant clinics, over and above a Consultant’s Programmed Activity contract, the required level of nursing, secretarial and administrative support is also agreed and included in the additional funding.

“Existing staff who work additional hours to support these extra clinics are paid in line with Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

“Where it is not possible to meet the additional hours from within existing staff additional administrative and clerical support is brought in on a temporary basis to support Trust staff in servicing these extra consultant clinics.”