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A balancing act ... but we are not 'paying mega-bucks' ?- ; Two directors head-hunted in the past year [Grimsby Telegraph (UK)](Grimsby Telegraph (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE chairman of the panel which sets pay for senior executives at Grimsby's hospital trust has hit back at suggestions that it has awarded "mega-bucks" increases. The Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) was criticised by the union Unison after it emerged that several directors had received pay rises in excess of Pounds 10,000 in 2013-14. But Alan Bell, chairman of the trust's remuneration committee, insisted that NLAG paid their senior executives less than neighbouring trusts in Hull. And he stressed that with the removal of some posts, the total amount spent on salaries for executives had increased by just Pounds 4,000 from Pounds 1.361 million in 2012-13 to Pounds 1.365 million in 2013-14. Mr Bell even suggested that the committee had undervalued some roles - resulting in two of its directors being head-hunted by other trusts. Although the salaries for 2014-15 will not be revealed until next year's annual report is published, Mr Bell hinted that those positions had been awarded an increase. However, he also admitted that the way the figures were presented in this year's report had made it appear that more and bigger pay increases had been awarded than www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/crime was actually the case. He said this would be addressed in next year's report. Read all crime stories at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/crime Earlier this month we reported that six members of the executive team had received pay rises in excess of Pounds 10,000. But Mr Bell confirmed it was in ONLINE GALLERY fact four - chief executive Karen Jackson, chief nurse and deputy chief executive Karen Dunderdale, director of finance and business support Mike Rocke and director of organisational development and workforce Neil Pease. To see these pictures and more visit www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/ pictures cameraclub Although the report stated that director of clinical quality and assurance Wendy Booth received Pounds 90,000- Pounds 95,000 in 2013-14 compared to Pounds 75,000-Pounds 80,000, Mr Bell said the latter figure only accounted for part of the year, as Mrs Booth had been appointed to the new post mid-way through 2012- 13. GALLERIES To see more pictures visit www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/ cameraclub Similarly, chief operating officer Angie Smithson was shown to have received an increase from Pounds 100,000-Pounds 105,000 to Pounds 130,000-Pounds 135,000, when the former figure only accounted for part of MORE BYGONES the year because she took on the new position mid-way through 2012-13. Ms Smithson, who assumed the responsibilities of the Pounds 120,000-a-year director of diagnostics post which was abolished, did receive a pay rise, however, for taking on the role of deputy chief executive. action Mr Bell said: "I have an obligation as chairman of the remuneration committee to try to stop a situation where our executives are constantly being head-hunted, but not to the point of paying salaries which conflict with our requirement to save money. "It's a balancing act between the salary being enough to attract and retain the right candidate and just going out and paying mega- bucks." comment " Mr Bell said Ms Dunderdale and director of facilities Nigel Myhill had both left the trust after being head-hunted in the past year. And he added: "Allowing our best talent to be head-hunted is extremely damaging to our ability to provide acute healthcare and every time that happens the cost of recruitment is prohibitive." Mr Bell explained that director of business support Mr Rocke had received an increase from Pounds 100,000-Pounds 105,000 to Pounds 115,000-Pounds 120,000 because he had taken on responsibility for the trust's IT department. This was previously included in the director of facilities role, the salary for which has not been increased and remains below the benchmark figure provided by external consultants. He also stressed that the increase from Pounds 165,000-Pounds 170,000 to Pounds 180,000-Pounds 185,000 for chief executive Mrs Jackson was agreed in her contract when she was appointed, as she started on a salary far below the benchmark because of her lack of experience. ? ON THE WEB: Do you think salaries awarded to senior executives in the public sector are excessive? Have your say at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk Allowing our best talent to be head-hunted is extremely damaging to our ability to provide acute healthcare Alan Bell (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |