§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many senior staff in each of the district health authorities in Wales have received during the past 12 months bonuses on top of their salaries linked to cost reduction performance; and what was the total payment made last year in Wales by way of such bonuses.
§ Mr. GristNone. The majority of top managers (including district and unit general managers) in district health authorities are employed on short-term contracts at fixed salaries with entitlement to performance related pay. Performance related pay is not given for cost-reduction performance but is aimed at rewarding those managers who are identified as consistently achieving a meritorious performance measured against pre-set objectives expressed in terms of standards of service provision. The aim is accordingly to encourage improvements in the delivery of health care services to the public.