Health bosses rack up millions in expenses on taxpayer-funded cards

HEALTH BOSSES have racked up almost £6m in expenses on taxpayer-funded credit cards in the past two years, it was reported yesterday.

Among the purchases were stays at five-star hotels, a hired “smoothie bike” and go-karting trips, it was claimed.

One chief even billed the taxpayer £562 for a private helicopter lesson but has now been told to repay the fee.

The findings were revealed through Freedom of Information requests which showed at least £5.8m was spent by some 692 staff in the two years since March 2016, a national newspaper said.

The figures cover expenses accrued on “government procurement cards” across 11 of the largest health bodies and watchdogs.

Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie said: “Our experts protect lives in the UK and overseas 24/7.

“Expenses for scientific research, sharing expertise and learning from global best practice are necessary for their work.”

Keith Conradi, head of the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, will repay the fee claimed for his helicopter lesson, the branch confirmed.

Alex Wild, research director at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Procurement cards are supposed to be used as a cost-effective means of buying low-value goods and services.”

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued 266 workers with cards, allowing meals and laundry bills if they travelled or worked longer hours, it was reported.

An MHRA spokesman said staff regularly attended events away from the office. “MHRA staff have a duty to ensure public resources are safeguarded and used economically,” he said.