Anger as Hospital Trust employs Director of Communications amid £15m cuts

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Trade unions have criticised a cash-strapped Westcountry hospital trust which has appointed a new top-salaried Director of Communications in the face of a £15.5 million cost cutting drive.
The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT), which is £25 million in the red, has signed up an Associate Director of Communications which comes with pay of between £65,000 and £80,000.
The appointment was robustly defended by the Truro based Trust, but Christine Dayus, spokeswoman for Unison, said many members were bitter about the news.
"This does beg the question of how the RCHT is spending its money. It is a matter of priorities."
Mrs Dayus said unions would shortly be attending a meeting with Trust bosses and it was expected a further economy drive would be on the cards.
"We are going into discussions with the Trust. They want to talk to us about how they're going to achieve savings and we are expecting to hear they want it to come from the pay bill.
"However, things like this don't sit terribly comfortably when on one hand members are hearing it's about cutting costs and the next thing there's an appointment at senior manager level.
"We are seeing staff at the bottom being squeezed while senior staff are still being appointed."
"It just doesn't engender confidence."
Jon Sparkes, Director of Human Resources at RCHT, confirmed that the post was new, although an unsuccessful attempt to recruit someone was made last spring.
The new Associate Director of Communications has not been officially named, but they are said to have extensive experience in the public sector and will take up the post in March.
"There is a recognised need for a well informed public and media," said Mr Sparkes.
Laura Mason, spokeswoman for RCHT said there has been widespread calls from staff to improve communications.
"Our surveys in 2008 and 2009 made it quite clear that our staff are highly critical of communication across the Trust.
"In response to this there is a firm commitment to developing a clear strategy to make significant improvement, which requires the leadership of a communications expert.
"It is a key role in ensuring effective communication not only with our 5,000 staff but with the public to aid their understanding of our services and to make sure they are given the opportunity and information to become involved in developing our plans for the future."
Overall this financial year, the Trust aims to make £15.5million of savings with measures such as reducing agency staff and negotiating better contracts with suppliers.


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