UNIONS have condemned the fees paid while the hospital struggled to save money.
Tanya Palmer, head of health for Unison in the south west, said: “It is absolutely outrageous.
“It is a lot of money when there is financial difficulty.
“If all staff are expected to make efficiencies and take a hit, that should apply to management and directors as well.”
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that the average wage for a nurse was £28,000, although many undertaking frontline work would earn a great deal less, such as auxiliaries.
RCN regional officer Kathy Ibbotson said: “Considering the NHS is facing significant financial challenges these appear to be shockingly high sums of money and frontline staff will look at these figures in disbelief.
“The RCN has long said that short term strategies which come at premium cost are not an acceptable way to run our health service.
“NHS Trusts must secure long term, sustainable work force plans and front line services.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here