HOSPITAL chiefs say the decision to increase the trust chairman's pay was made by the Council of Governors at its first meeting last month.
Chief executive Alan Foster said it was based on guidance from the Foundation Trust Network – an organisation set up to support NHS Foundation Trusts.
More pay rise row stories...Anger over 150 per cent pay rise - click to readChairman defends increase - click to readShock and anger - click to readWorkers will miss out - click to readMr Foster added: "They also compared the remuneration received by chairmen and non-executive directors of a number of other NHS Foundation Trusts and on that basis the governors supported a rise in annual remuneration for these posts.
"A chairman of an NHS Foundation Trust has extra responsibilities and the role is more like that of chairman of a public limited company. If an NHS foundation trust fails to comply with the terms of authorisation then the regulator can step in and remove the chairman and any other board members.
"They also have public, legal and regulatory responsibilities which are more onerous than NHS Trusts.
"As such they have additional responsibilities which are taken into account when setting remuneration levels and they were recognised by the governors in agreeing the rises in remuneration.
"It is vital for the future success of the NHS foundation trust that it can attract and retain a board of directors whose members are appropriately rewarded for the challenging work they have to do."
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