UNISON has called on the East of England Ambulance Trust to show some common sense when it decides on the salary of the new Chief Executive. It has recently been revealed that the current Chief Executive Hayden Newton has not only been earning significantly more than the Prime Minister but will also retire with a pension pot estimated to be worth £1.2 million.
Branch Secretary, Gary Applin says “Whoever the new Chief Executive is, she or he will take over an organisation attempting to implement £50 million in spending cuts resulting in patients waiting unexpectedly long to receive appropriate medical attention. Staff morale is rock bottom and our members including paramedics, control room operatives and emergency care assistants who have had to endure a 3 year pay freeze. He continues, “This is not the time for fat cat salaries. The Trust needs to understand the strength of feeling within the workforce and the general public”.