HSE internal audits July-December 2015 - COPE contract: Salary at odds with medical grades

A doctor contracted to provide services to clients of COPE Foundation was paid €123,799 annually, at odds with Department of Health (DOH) salary scales for medical grades.

COPE confirmed to HSE auditors the rate of payment was “not based on a DOH salary scale”. There were two contracts between COPE and the doctor, dating back to 2002, the second of which was for €6,348 for employment medicals. COPE said they tendered for medical services in 2013 but the process collapsed “as just one quotation was received which did not offer value for money”.

Auditors recommended COPE ensures the provision of medical services are the subject of a tendering process and that a valid up-to-date contract is entered into.