The new consultant contract increases the contracted weekly time for direct clinical care from a nominal 21 hours per week (six fixed sessions) under the old contract to a nominal 30 (7.5 programmed activities) under the new contract. Guidance has been issued to NHS employers making it clear that it is expected that all full-time consultants should be agreeing job plans which should have at least 7.5 programme activities devoted to direct clinical care unless there are specific circumstances or responsibilities which would justify a different balance of work between direct clinical care and other activities.The average number of extra programmed activities across Scotland is 1.6.