Key documents

There are two contracts in force for consultants in the NHS, the pre-2003 contract and the new 2003 consultant contract. The new 2003 contract applies to all consultants first appointed after 30 October 2003, as well as those who have chosen to transfer to it. Key documents related to both contracts are contained in this section.

Terms and conditions for the pre 2003 contract (version 9, March 2008)
This handbook sets out the terms and conditions of service of Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and doctors in Public Health Medicine and the Community Health Service in England and Wales. It supersedes the handbook issued in 1994, and incorporates all amendments agreed between the Secretary of State and the medical and dental professions, as at 31 March 2008.

Record of amendments pre 2003 TCS Version 1 (1 December 2002 to 30 July 2007)

Record of amendments pre 2003 TCS Version 2 (31 March 2008 to date)

Guidance has been issued by the Department of Health for use by NHS Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities when making appointments to consultant posts. It provides good practice guidance on the NHS (Appointment of Consultants) Amendment Regulations 2004 (Statutory Instrument 2004 No. 3365).

Guidance on the appointments process for consultants
Concordat between the medical royal colleges and the foundation trust network

Key documents for the 2003 Consultant Contract (England) are:

Terms and Conditions - Consultants (England) 2003 (version 7, April 2008)
This handbook sets out the terms and conditions of service for consultants on the 2003 contract. It incorporates all amendments agreed between the Secretary of State and consultant representatives, as at 1 April 2008.

Record of amendments TCS - consultants (England) 2003 volume one
This was updated on 1 July 2007 - amendments are also notified to employers via a message in the NHS Workforce Bulletin

Record of amendments TCS - consultants (England) 2003 volume two
This was updated on 1 April 2008 - amendments are also notified to employers via a message in the NHS Workforce Bulletin

Consultant contract
This model contract is intended for consultants in NHS facilities.

Record of amendments - Contract
This was updated on 1 April 2008 - amendments are also notified to employers via a message in the NHS Workforce Bulletin.

A guide to contracting for additional/extra programmed activities

This guide outlines good practice for contractual arrangements for additional or extra Programmed Activities (PAs)for consultants. It includes example contracts for:

• One regular additional PA for a full time consultant to recognise current workload
• Twenty annualised extra PAs for a full time consultant to reflect limited update of spare professional capacity
• Fifteen annualised extra PAs for a part time consultant to reflect limited uptake of spare professional capacity

The 2003 consultant contract established a standard full time working week of ten PAs. On this basis, a consultant's contract should be no more than 10 PAs and employers should only advertise posts on this basis. However, alongside the core contract, the Terms and Conditions, Consultants (England) 2003 provides flexibility for NHS organisations and consultants to agree to contract for additional PAs, for a variety of purposes.

Provision is made for two types of extra-contractual PAs which are outlined in this guidance. These can be used interchangeably.

Honorary Contract
This model honorary contract is intended for clinical academics who are employed by Higher Education Institutions or other organisations in a research and/or teaching capacity and who also provide services for NHS patients, at consultant level, in NHS facilities.