Vote 2010: NHS chiefs' pay rises more than double those of nurses

Election coverage in full

A report on boardroom pay in 2008/09 found chief executives' pay increased by an average of 6.9 per cent, compared to 2.75 per cent for nurses, bringing typical earnings up to 147,500.

Chief executives at NHS foundation trusts – the subject of negative publicity in recent months following concerns about substandard care – received 10,000 more a year on average than those managing less "gold standard" trusts.

The report, from Incomes Data Services (IDS), was based on data from more than 380 NHS trusts in England, including primary care, mental health and ambulance trusts.

It showed last year's average increase for chief executives came on top of a 6.4 per cent rise in 2007/08.

The highest-paid chief executive was at Guy's and St Thomas' in London, with mid-point total earnings of 270,000, the report said.

Another of the highest earners was at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, which covers five adult hospitals including the Northern General and Royal Hallamshire.

According to the report, Sir Andrew Cash received a total of 212,500 – the highest pay of any chief executive in the Yorkshire region.

At Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, the chief executive received 237,500 while at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the chief executive was paid 217,500.

Steve Tatton, editor of the IDS NHS Boardroom Pay Report 2010, said: "Our annual survey of NHS boardroom remuneration will not make comfortable reading for those wishing to see those at the top of the service leading from the front on wage restraint.

"These are undoubtedly testing times for those making decisions about how much to pay NHS chiefs – balancing recruitment and motivation against the need to keep tight control of the public purse – but it seems that the equation has fallen on the side of high salary awards with pay continuing to run ahead of the rest of the workforce."

Senior salaries in foundation trusts increased by an average of 7.8 per cent last year, compared to 6.1 per cent for executives of non-foundation trusts.

Foundation trust status is a supposed marker of excellence, with greater financial freedoms including on setting pay. Yet Care Quality Commission data shows that out of 22 NHS trusts registered with conditions because of concerns about standards of care, 12 are foundation trusts.

Unison senior national officer Mike Jackson said managers needed to be paid a decent wage so hospitals could attract the right calibre of staff. "But it is not right for senior staff to get above inflation pay hikes, while the rest of the workforce get a below inflation pay deal."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "NHS and foundation trusts are independent organisations and set their senior pay in the light of the recommendations of their independent remuneration committees - there are no central targets.

"All pay arrangements over 150,000 a year must now be publicly justified."

Union mounts poster campaign

One of the country's biggest trade unions is launching an election poster campaign accusing the Conservatives of planning to "wield an axe" to public services.

Unison will publish the posters in marginal seats across the UK, urging the public to "Look What's in the Tories' First Budget", below an image of an axe with a blue blade.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The poster's graphic image will give voters a sharp reminder of Tory plans to take an axe to vital public services.

"Public spending and the threat of job cuts are high on the election agenda."

He accused Tory councils of wiping out thousands of jobs across the UK "and if the Tories get into power they have said that thousands more jobs will go.

He called on people to use their vote.