Health official handed £12k for 20 days work!
Dr Mike Grady, chairman of the travel and transport group for the project to restructure hospital and community health services in Calderdale and Greater Huddersfield cannot be changed. How can he say for certain this plan to move emergency care to Calderdale is going to work? “Is it on his head when it doesn’t? “That’s £12,000 minimum for 20 days work, wasted on something that cannot just be papered over.
“It’s a total waste of money and they are clutching at straws. It’s time they come clean and say they’ve got this wrong.”
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman commented: “There’s no doubt that one of the real weaknesses in the CCGs’ plan for the future of healthcare is the transport side of things. That’s been woefully neglected.
“If this person is the kind of professional we need to bring some senior expertise to the attention of the CCG, then I’m in favour of that, but the high level of remuneration does concern me. This is a lot of money, and people in the community will not be impressed that it’s not going directly to the NHS.”
A spokesperson for the CCGs said Dr Grady had been hired following a nationwide recruitment and selection process.
Dr Grady is a former principal adviser/senior research fellow at the Institute of Health Equity.
He was formerly the chief executive of Eastern Wakefield NHS Primary Care Trust and has also held senior positions at Wakefield Council.
He said: “I look forward to working in partnership with the group and wider communities to better understand the issues involved and develop evidencebased recommendations.
“This will be a very challenging but ultimately rewarding role.”
Dr Steve Ollerton, GP and Chair of NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG said: “The travel and transport group has an important role to play in identifying priority areas for consideration and developing recommendations and plans to address any challenges.”
Dr Alan Brook, GP and Chair of NHS Calderdale CCG said: “This new group will advise, inform and provide expert input on transport and access matters relating to our proposed future arrangements for health services.”