Scottish Government accused of paying 'film star salaries' to senior NHS staff, while nursing faces cuts
New figures have revealed almost 150 employees at NHS Fife receive ''film star salaries'' of over £100,000 a year.
Details of the six-figure pay packets have prompted a furious reaction, with Cowdenbeath MSP Helen Eadie claiming it proves the government is more interested in protecting high earners than frontline services.
She insisted the rocketing salaries come against a backdrop of decreased nursing numbers.
Across NHS Fife a total of 144 executives and clinicians received six-figure pay packets in 2010/11 — up from just 121 in 2008/09 and 132 last year.
With many elsewhere in the public sector, and across the private sector, being forced to tighten their belts amid a crippling global economic downturn, Ms Eadie said the figures make a mockery of promises to protect frontline jobs and improve patient care.
''These new official figures show that 144 NHS Fife employees are now being paid over £100,000 per year,'' she said. ''The figures come as the SNP government cut almost 2,000 nurses from the NHS across Scotland and despite them promising to cut high-earner pay.''
According to figures collated by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, more than 3,000 NHS executives and staff were paid over £100,000 per year in 2010/11 — up from just under 2,000 in 2008/09.
Ms Eadie called for a shift in focus, insisting any additional financial resources should be targeted at frontline services.
''The SNP promised to 'cut the pay bill of the highest earners','' she continued. ''However, there are now over 144 executives and employees in the NHS in Fife alone paid film star salaries of over £100,000.''
Ms Eadie said the statistics provide evidence that a catalogue of pledges have been broken in recent times.
''The SNP also promised to 'protect the NHS budget in Scotland', yet the government is cutting the NHS budget by £319 million in real terms.
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02.16pm - 19.10.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Ms Eadie should have checked her facts before spouting her ill informed diatribe, though I doubt facts were a priority for her. "All are paid on scales set nationally (UK)" bursts her balloon. The SNP cannot cut clinicians pay and Ms Eadie would be the first to moan if they were made redundant.
09.17pm - 19.10.2011 Freddie S. - Dundee, Scotland U.K. Report This
Great to see SNP supporters out ensuring the bloated salaries of the rich are protected.
10.34pm - 19.10.2011 T. Butchers - Dundee, uk Report This
MSPs...Hmmmm can someone remind me what their hours, conditions and wages are? Oh yes...and what qualifications do they need?
12.14am - 20.10.2011 S McQueen - Glasgow, UK Report This
The other fact missing here is that nursing & most other hospital staff are contracted, if full time, to around mid 30 hours a week. Even junior doctors, covering the ward on a shift, average out at around 56 hr/wk, with some weeks being 70-90hr. The extra pay reflects, in part, the hours.
07.25am - 20.10.2011 R Wilson - Edinburgh, city of, Scotland UK Report This
@ S McQueen The key word here is "executives". Known on each site as "suits".
09.33am - 20.10.2011 Annoyedmedic - Dundee, UK Report This
Helen Eadie..qualifications..one certificate in Trade Union Studies (not a degree but a certificate) from the LSE). Salary at least 60k plus lucrative expenses. Consultants 12 years training, multiple exams/degrees, arduous hours and horrendous responsibility. Salary 100k-I know who is better value!
06.40pm - 20.10.2011 BudIce - Edinburgh, Scotland Report This
@ S McQueen - most NHS staff are contracted to 37.5hrs a week. Most doctors (juniors + consultants) work-up to 48hrs a week (averaged out). It is illegal under the European Working Time Directive to work more than that unless you opt out.
06.47pm - 20.10.2011 BudIce - Edinburgh, Scotland Report This
NHS Consultants earn up to £100k. By retirement around half have merit awards (up to double salary) or management allowances (or both!). Times are changing rapidly; some other healthcare staff are very highly qualified + have increasing responsibility but earn only a fraction of medical staff.
06.52pm - 20.10.2011 BudIce - Edinburgh, Scotland Report This
In the perfect world everybody working in the NHS should have the same terms + conditions. Okay, there would need to be higher pay bands/scales added to Agenda for Change but that wouldn't be too difficult. Why do doctors need 2 extra public holidays a year compared to nurses?
10.07am - 22.10.2011 Mary McLeod - Dundee, UK Report This
If people continue to deride doctors then they will continue to leave the NHS in droves to countries such as Australia who welcome and respect medical professionals. Why dont you request a referral to a specialist nurse next time you need an operation rather than a doctor?
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