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'Exec team's pay rises are justified' says boss ; Chairman defends Pounds 10k plus salary increases for six top tier staff [Grimsby Telegraph (UK)]
[September 04, 2014]

'Exec team's pay rises are justified' says boss ; Chairman defends Pounds 10k plus salary increases for six top tier staff [Grimsby Telegraph (UK)]


(Grimsby Telegraph (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE chairman of the Trust which operates Grimsby's hospital has defended pay rises in excess of Pounds 10,000 for six members of its executive team.

The increases were revealed in the annual report for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG), which also runs hospitals in Scunthorpe and Goole.

Figures show Karen Jackson, chief executive, received Pounds 180- 185,000 in 2013-14 - compared to Pounds 165-170,000 in 2012-13.

Karen Dunderdale, chief nurse and deputy chief executive, received Pounds 100-105,000 - up from Pounds 85-90,000 in 2012-13.

Wendy Booth, director of clinical quality and assurance and Trust Secretary, received Pounds 90-95,000 - compared to Pounds 75-80,000 the previous year.

Trust chairman Dr Jim Whittingham said: "We are in a position where we have a remuneration committee - nobody sets their own pay.

"Ultimately, it is in everybody's interest if the Trust is led by a team of capable chief executives.

"The message to our doctors and nurses and all the other staff would be exactly the same.

"We have to make difficult decisions and the Trust needs to be well led." Neil Pease, director of organisational development and workforce, received Pounds 105-110,000 in 2013-14 - compared to Pounds 90- 95,000 the previous year. Mike Rocke, director of finance and business support, received Pounds 115-120,000 - compared to Pounds 100-105,000.



Chief operating officer Angie Smithson, who has since left the Trust, received Pounds 130-135,000. She earned Pounds 100-105,000 the previous year Dr Whittingham said: "The Trust is in a position where the majority of its staff have their pay determined nationally. They are covered by Agenda For Change.

"The Foundation team needs to decide what to pay their executive team. Their pay is determined by the government's local rates.


"A Trust like ours needs to be able to attract and recruit competent executives in what amounts to a national market.

"We need to find a way of paying a fair rate for the job. These are big jobs with big salaries.

"That is not to say the executive team are more important - this has to be a team effort." Dr Whittingham said the Trust had made great strides in improvements at the hospital.

He said: "I think there has been a significant change in the board among the executive team and the non-executive team.

"Many of the issues which we have been grappling with as a Trust, including Keogh, have their origins before me and Karen were appointed. "We are making great progress and we are out of special measures as a Trust.

"That progress is being made by staff across the Trust.

"I have confidence in the Trust moving forward in the right direction." ? ON THE WEB: What do you think? Are the pay rises deserved? Have your say by commenting on this story at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.

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