In December 2003 an amended consultant contract was introduced in the NHS in Wales with a number of intended benefits for both consultants and the wider NHS. Between 2004 and 2011 some £35m was spent implementing the new contract which sought to improve consultants' working environment, enhance recruitment and retention, and encourage co-operation between health managers and consultants to provide a better service for patients. Effective job planning for consultants was central to securing these benefits.