Scandal-hit NHS bosses used charity fund for leaving bash

HEALTH CHIEFS AGREE TO REIMBURSE FOUNDATION TRUST AS STAFF EXPRESS 'DISGUST'

- By JOEL MOORE

BOSSES at a scandal-hit NHS trust have been shamed into paying for a leaving bash themselves after initially using cash from a charitable fund.

Money from the Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust's (NHFT) charity was used to organise an event, including a buffet, for departing chairman Paul Devlin last week.

The charitable fund is often used to improve services for patients and frontline staff, and is currently running appeals for mother and baby and mental health units.

The indulgence drew claims of hypocrisy by workers across the organisation who were recently told discretionary spend nonessential costs was being suspended as its financial position “continues to worsen month on month”.

Earlier this week, NHFT, which runs the county’s mental health services, was told its leadership “requires improvement” following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).