Hospital chiefs' pay leaps by £110,000

The combined six-month salaries of a dozen managers at a Black Country hospitals trust jumped by £110,000 overnight, it has been revealed.

When the Dudley Group of Hospitals Trust which runs Russells Hall, The Corbett and Guest hospitals was awarded Foundation status the total wage bill for 12 directors rocketed by more than 30 per cent. They were paid a total of £405,000 for the six months from October 2008 to March 2009 inclusive, compared to £295,000 for the period April to September 2008.

Chief executive Paul Farenden, who leaves his post today, was paid between £90,000 and £95,000 for the second half of the financial year. He received between £80,000 and £85,000 for the previous six months.

Nursing director Denise McMahon saw her six-month pay packet soar by £20,000, from at least £35,000 to £55,000. Medical director Paul Harrison was paid £15,000 to £20,000 for the first six months and £30,000 to £35,000 for the next six months.

Trust chairman Alf Edwards, finance director Paul Assinder, operations director Paul Brennan and director of human resources Janine Clarke all received £10,000 extra for the latter period.

Councillor Steve Waltho, who sits on the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors, said executive pay was too high.

"In all honesty I think senior directors in public organisations are very much overpaid," he said. "Senior consultants are there on the front line saving lives and if anything these directors should be paid on a par with them and no more."

Mr Farenden said the salary rises reflected increased pressures on directors since the trust was awarded Foundation status.

"The roles of the trust board of directors have seen significant changes including the personal liability of individuals to the taxpayer for decisions made on behalf of the Trust, something not seen in the NHS previously," he said.

Dudley became the first Foundation Trust in the Black Country on October 1.