§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total cost to the National Health Service in the last financial year of payments of staff suspended on full pay, including the cost of locums; and whether there is any limit on the length of time of paid suspensions.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)This information is not available centrally. The responsibility for the operation of suspension procedures lies solely with National Health Service employers.
Guidance was issued in Circular HSG(94)49 to NHS employers on 31 October 1994 on suspension procedures for hospital and community medical and hospital dental staff, copies of which are available in the Library.
The guidance stipulates no minimum period during which suspension procedures are to be completed. While decisions on the procedures to be followed for reinstatement rest with the employing authority, the guidance does however contain an indicative timetable, which is strongly recommended to NHS employers for incorporation into any local procedures they may draw up in consultation with their staff. The guidelines state 95WA that every attempt should be made to conclude the investigation and, where appropriate, the subsequent disciplinary process as speedily as possible.