How much is Jack worth? A study of the work of anaesthetists' in the S.E. Thames Region.

A study of anaesthetists' work in the S.E. Thames Region has indicated that about three-quarters of actual working time is spent giving anaesthetics, the rest of the time being spent on activities outside the operating theatre. In addition, however, equal amounts of time to that spent working is committed to being on call, so that the average total amount of time committed to the N.H.S. by the four grades of staff studied is 75.8 hours. While current maximum salary scales may (arguably) bear a resonable relationship to a 38.5 hour week, calculations of remuneration based on the data elicited from the study in respect of the amount of time actually committed and equivalent rates paid to junior staff or doctors in Europe suggest a considerable shortfall in consultant remuneration.