Ever since the NHS was formed, NHS consultants have had the right to undertake private work. I realise for most of us the sums of money that perhaps NHS consultants earn are good salaries. But one has to look at the professional and personal expectations that they have, and to look at some of their contemporaries who may be working in jobs in the City earning huge sums of money. One of the things that consultants are doing by working in the independent sector is achieving those personal ambitions. What is different, and certainly Christine Hancock the general secretary of the RCN in giving evidence to a general select committee a year ago when asked a similar question, said what's different is that the working conditions are better.
Nurses can get on with the job they're trained to do.
They can get on with nursing without bureaucracy. The plan is for England only. We have certainly made approaches to Wales and Scotland seeking similar partnership arrangements, but I'm afraid they've only been very initial contacts at this stage. I have no doubt that the independent sector could benefit the services delivered by the NHS, both health and social care services in Scotland and Wales. I'd be delighted to speak to ministers in Scotland and Wales.