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WINDFALL: Chris Appleby.
WINDFALL: Chris Appleby.

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Health chief gets £475,000 pay-off

Amanda Crook
6/ 4/2006

A HEALTH chief who agreed to quit after pressure from Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt is to receive a payout of almost half a million pounds.

Chris Appleby, chief executive of Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust - which runs hospitals in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and North Manchester - announced in February he would leave once a consultation on services had been completed.

He had been under pressure to go since the trust's medics held a vote of no confidence into his management last summer. His leadership style had been criticised in an independent probe and local MPs even appealed to Ms Hewitt to intervene.

Now Mr Appleby will leave the trust next month and his retirement will cost them '475,000, including pension payments. In a statement, the trust said: "Mr Appleby's decision to take early retirement has been agreed by the trust."

The Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority stressed there were no grounds for dismissing Mr Appleby. A spokesman said: "Mr Appleby was an effective chief executive who delivered on waiting times and financial management.

"We have been trying to mediate between the doctors and managers, but in the end it proved impossible."

'Disgusted'

Politicians who campaigned for Mr Appleby to go say they are "disgusted" by his payout. David Heyes, MP for Ashton under Lyne, said: "The large sums involved are a terrible contrast to the way other NHS employees are treated." Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale, said: "I called for Appleby to be sacked after the report. If he had gone then he wouldn't be getting this payout."

In a statement, Mr Appleby said: "I have been struck by the commitment shown by staff at all levels. I am sure this determination will be instrumental in creating the sustainable services which will provide the best for patients using our hospitals."

Mr Appleby joined the trust in 2002 from the East Yorkshire and Royal Hull Trust. Concerns over management at the trust were raised by senior medical staff at all the hospitals who felt patient care was suffering in the drive to meet targets.

An independent report by Sir George Alberti, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, found a "lethal mixture" of suspect leadership styles and pressure to improve standards had soured relations between doctors and managers.

WHAT do you think of Mr Appleby's grand pay-out? Have your say.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(18)


Most recent 2 of 18 user comments

   Chris has paid into the pension fund for 30 years, I think he deserves every penny of the pay off. He tried his best to bring the changes the government has demanded, the staff and patients don't seem to realise that the waiting lists are well within the targets, he and his team have kept the finances down too. I say good luck with what ever the future brings him. We can only ever ask for people to do their best. WELL DONE CHRIS.
Carol, Oldham
19/04/2006 at 21:30

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   Having read this article, it seems that this is not a half million pound payoff, but is inclusive of a pension, which no doubt Mr Appleby has paid into for many years. I think this article is inflammatory, particularly to those who did not read and understand that pension was included. The most frightening thing is that a Councillor leaving a comment is unable to spell!
M Calm, Manchester
12/04/2006 at 13:04

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