Doctors will not be forced to declare private earnings in a massive U-turn by NHS bosses

DOCTORS will not be forced to declare private earnings in a massive U-turn by bosses.

Last year NHS England said all medics should reveal income to ensure they were not “short-changing” taxpayers.

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But under new conflicts of interest guidance endorsed yesterday, doctors will simply have to say “where, when and what” they have done privately.

Under the rules, doctors, nurses and other front-line staff can receive small gifts such as chocolates but never cash.

And they are banned from accepting anything seen to affect their professional judgment.

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Gifts with a value over £50, accepted on behalf of organisations, must be declared.

The rules start from June.

NHS England chairman Sir Malcolm Grant, who led a review on the issue of private earnings, said: “This new guidance will bring a consistent approach to conflicts of interest and ensure the public can have faith in the integrity of the NHS.”

The British Medical Association said: “NHS commitments should take precedence over private work.”

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— GPs offering private appointments for £145 a time from their surgery have been criticised by bosses.

NHS England chief Simon Stevens said the Bournemouth scheme was “questionable”.