FAQs
A look at queries answered by the NHS Appointments Commission
Q. I am a training professional, can I do training work for my own trust?
A. Many chairs and non-executives have skills that they could utilise to work professionally within the health sector (example professional trainers etc). Often, these potential work areas are a main source of income to individuals outside their non-executive role within the NHS. Clearly, a non-executive appointment cannot prohibit people from professional earning potential but there are sensitivities and certain 'rules' that should be observed.
Basic guidelines that should be considered before chairs or non-executives accept additional work from within the NHS:
* individuals should not use their chair/non-executive role or membership of a Regional Training Board to canvass for work
* paid training work should not be undertaken within the health economy where the non-executive appointment is held. For strategic health authority non-executives, the restriction would apply to training work within the health authority area
* all NHS work undertaken should be recorded in the local Declaration of Interests Register
* professional work should not disclose confidential information received as a chair or non-executive director
* training aims should be consistent with other work undertaken by SHAs, trusts, PCTs or the NHS Appointments Commission
* local chairs, strategic health authority chairs or regional commissioners should be advised or consulted where such work is agreed.
Q. The Inland Revenue say that I owe them tax on the mileage expenses I have been paid. Is that right?
A. The Inland Revenue rules are that you can be paid up to 40p per mile for up to 10,000 miles and 25p for every mile thereafter without incurring any tax liability on these payments. Chairs and non-executives, however, are entitled to receive 53p or 43p for up to 7,500 miles. Tax is therefore due on the 13p or 3p paid over the Inland Revenue's limit, up to 7,500 miles. Then, as the rate paid to chairs and non-executives falls below the 40p threshold for the mileage between 7,500 and 10,000 and the 25p threshold above that, there is no further liability. If chairs and non-executives travel over 7,500 miles on official business, the maximum they can be liable to tax on is £975 for cars of 1500cc and over or £225 for smaller cars.
