14.05.14
NHS England boss to ‘clamp down’ on expenses
The new head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, has promised to “clamp down” on lavish spending and ban first-class travel for NHS officials, following the revelation that nine executives spent almost £200,000 last year on fine dining, taxi fares and hotels at up to £500 a night.
Stevens, who took a voluntary £20,000 pay cut when he replaced Sir David Nicholson as chief executive, has told staff at NHS England to “think like a patient and act like a taxpayer”. He added that new standards for openness and transparency in all NHS England’s operations have been set, compared with what went before.
The FOI by the Telegraph highlighted that ex-CEO Sir David Nicholson billed taxpayers for a total of £32,000 during 2013-14, including £6,700 on taxis. The highest individual bill was for Tim Kelsey, national director for patients and information, who spent £46,000 during the year, including more than £21,000 on hotels and dining. And chief nursing officer Jane Cummings spent more than £27,000 in total, including £8,000 on hotels and dining.
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said: “When patient services face continued cutbacks and the majority of health service workers have been denied a 1% cost of living pay increase, it is galling for both NHS staff and patients that senior officials appear to be continuing to lavish spending on food and travel.”
He added that Simon Stevens’ promise to clampdown on his officials’ expenses is “sensible and fair”. Carter noted that senior NHS England staff will have “legitimate” claims to make and should not be prevented from travelling and engaging with frontline workers and their patients, but a much better balance must be struck between these claims and the pressing need for financial prudence.
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]