MikeLigalig.com

By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News

Ward Consultants can make £600 for four hours overtime

Some consultants are making more than £100,000 a year in overtime payments from the NHS, the BBC has learnt.

The sums - paid on top of basic salaries and bonuses - have been criticised at a time when the health service is trying to save money.

Consultants have been accused of playing the system, but doctors said poor planning by managers was to blame.

Overtime rates vary, but are often about £600 for four hours - treble what senior medics get for contracted work.

Basic pay for consultants stands at just under £90,000 a year on average. For full-time consultants, this pays for 10 separate four-hour blocks a week.

Consultants who do private work are also obliged to do an extra four-hour session paid at their basic rate if their NHS trust needs them.