Health officials at Blackpool Victoria Hospital have been criticised for throwing a staff party at the expense of £30,000 pf taxpayers’ money. However many other staff members for the Lancashire Health Trust will struggle to afford to pay for their own Christmas parties.
Staff members at Chorley Hospital were shocked to learn of the lavish affair that was thrown for 420 people at Blackpool’s Hilton Hotel. After paying the obligatory contribution of £5 per person, bosses celebrated the 60th anniversary of the NHS all at the trust’s expense.
Patricia Barnes, Staff Nurse at Chorley Hospital, said of the black tie event:
“I think it’s outrageous that the hospital bosses get to attend such a glamorous event, while the workers in the wards have to pay £40 to attend our own Christmas party especially in hard financial times like these.
“We were all surprised to hear how much ours was going to cost, no-one expected it to be £40 but then to hear that hundreds of workers from Blackpool enjoyed a black-tie event worth twice that at our expense is outrageous.”
Those that attended the glamorous event were treated to a three course meal with top entertainment at the cost of £70 per person.
There has been a huge backlash with arguments that people are struggling to find appointment times due to lack of funding, but there is enough money to spend on frivolous nights.
In times of an economic recession whereby people around the country are tightening their spending habits and cutting costs where possible, it seems odd that such a large amount of taxpayers’ cash would be used so flippantly.
In addition they failed to contact UNISON North West, who usually deals in this type of corporate event to prove that they are managing the costs well, but NHS Blackpool never got in touch. Furthermore the hospital doesn’t have to publish their expenditure for staff parties, however it can be found through the freedom of information act.
Another employee of Chorley Hospital, Annemarie Winstanley said:
“We were all surprised to hear how much ours was going to cost, no-one expected it to be £40 but then to hear that hundreds of workers from Blackpool enjoyed a black-tie event worth twice that at our expense is outrageous.”
Those that attended the glamorous event were treated to a three course meal with top entertainment at the cost of £70 per person.
There has been a huge backlash with arguments that people are struggling to find appointment times due to lack of funding, but there is enough money to spend on frivolous nights.
In times of an economic recession whereby people around the country are tightening their spending habits and cutting costs where possible, it seems odd that such a large amount of taxpayers’ cash would be used so flippantly.
In addition they failed to contact UNISON North West, who usually deals in this type of corporate event to prove that they are managing the costs well, but NHS Blackpool never got in touch. Furthermore the hospital doesn’t have to publish their expenditure for staff parties, however it can be found through the freedom of information act.
Another employee of Chorley Hospital, Annemarie Winstanley said:
“It’s difficult to not be annoyed by it. I’m not going to ours because I can’t afford it and I would rather put the money to good use and buy presents for my children.”
Joe Pointer, a sales assistant from Preston said:
Joe Pointer, a sales assistant from Preston said:
“It seems that there’s a massive case of double standards if you ask me. We’re paying more and more tax just to keep them flowing with Champagne. It’s extremely out of order. ”
The glitzy event comes after Blackpool Victoria Hospital was placed in the bottom third in Lancashire for quality of services with a rating of ‘fair’. Conversely the Chorley and South Ribble Trust managed a rating of ‘good’.
The Annual Health Check 2007/08 assesses whether the trust is getting the basics of healthcare right and meeting the Government’s core standards. The check also looks if the trust is making and sustaining ongoing improvements in its services.
The glitzy event comes after Blackpool Victoria Hospital was placed in the bottom third in Lancashire for quality of services with a rating of ‘fair’. Conversely the Chorley and South Ribble Trust managed a rating of ‘good’.
The Annual Health Check 2007/08 assesses whether the trust is getting the basics of healthcare right and meeting the Government’s core standards. The check also looks if the trust is making and sustaining ongoing improvements in its services.
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