Local MP Norman Baker has today written to both the Health Secretary and the Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority calling for an investigation into Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust's decision to give a Director a massive pay-off.
Information revealed by Norman Baker shows that the Director in question was given the huge sum of £243,000 for, it appears, only two weeks of work. This works out as a whopping £121,500 a week, or £24,300 per working day.
The news is made all the more surprising by the fact that it comes at a time as Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust looks to push through sweeping cuts which may well lead to a downgrading of services at Eastbourne DGH.
Commenting on the issue Norman Baker said:
"I find the series of events involving the Primary Care Trust and the Director in question scarcely believable. I am extremely concerned that such a huge amount of money was paid to an individual, who I understand only worked for the trust for a matter of weeks, at a time when the Trust is involved in cutting services available to patients at Eastbourne DGH.
"I have written to the Health Secretary, and to the Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority, and asked them to start an investigation into this episode.
"I will be especially interested to learn the basis on which the payment of this huge sum for such little work was authorised, and also why this use of taxpayer's money was concealed from the public."
A copy of Mr Baker's letter to Patricia Hewitt follows.
"The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP
"Please find enclosed a copy of a recent article in the Eastbourne Herald regarding a £243,000 pay-off.
"I must say that I find the series of events described in the enclosed article scarcely believable. I am extremely concerned that such a huge amount of money was paid to an individual, who I understand only worked for the trust for a matter of weeks, at a time when the Primary Care Trust in question is responsible for sweeping cuts that may well lead to a downgrading of services at Eastbourne DGH.
"I must ask you to investigate this matter and establish who authorised this pay-off, and on what basis. Could you also tell me how the sum of £243,000 pounds was decided upon for a Director of Public Health who only worked for the Trust for, I understand, two weeks. I also believe it is entirely inappropriate that an NHS body responsible for public functions and using taxpayer's money should not be prepared to release this information, which has, as you will gather, come to me through a whistleblower.
"I believe this episode merits a formal investigation into this matter and I would be grateful if you would instigate such let me know your findings.
"I look forward to your swift response.
"I have written in similar terms to Candy Morris, Chief Executive of NHS South East Coast.
"Yours sincerely
"Norman Baker MP"
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