HOSPITAL bosses forked out a six-figure sum in severance to one employee, the Examiner can reveal.
Figures released today show Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust was authorised to pay £125,000 to a member of staff in 2010/11.
The huge settlement was the third highest among the 81 foundation health trusts last year.
South Staffordshire and Shropshire Trust was authorised to pay-out £190,000 to a member of staff in 2010/11.
The Treasury also allowed Central Manchester University Hospitals Trust to make a special severance payment of £150,000 to an employee last year.
The Examiner asked Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust who the money was paid to, the exact amount given and the reason for the severance.
A trust spokeswoman replied yesterday: “The trust is obliged to seek Treasury approval for cases such as these and a full business case is produced.
“The Treasury makes decisions based on best value for money.”
The trust spokeswoman went on to take the highly unusual step of converting the Examiner’s press inquiry into a Freedom of Information Act request.
She said: “Your request for information dated May 18, 2011 has been considered having regard to:
The individual’s personal information and right of confidentiality under the Data Protection Act 1998
The public interest in disclosure of Trust expenditure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
“In the circumstances, we believe that the information is exempt from disclosure under section 40 and 43 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.”
Today’s news comes a week after the Examiner revealed that trust chief executive Diane Whittingham received a salary increase of up to £10,000 in 2009/10.
She was paid £180,000 in 2008/09 for leading the trust, which includes Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.
Official trust records show Ms Whittingham moved into the £185,000 to £190,000 bracket the following year.
However, the trust refused to reveal exactly how much the chief executive was paid in 2009/10.
