MP SLAMS NHS PAY-OUT SECRECY

In a letter to the Primary Care Trust and Hospitals Trust he has demanded that in future they should not agree confidentiality clauses with senior staff.

Mr Waterson said: 'My constituents are heartily sick of a series of revelations about massive pay-outs in dubious circumstances to senior NHS bosses.

'This is especially galling when local health services are under threat because of a funding crisis."

'And obtaining the details of these severance packages can be like pulling teeth '“ even for elected MPs.

'This has got to stop.

'I am asking that, with immediate effect, any senior staff recruited should not have a confidentiality clause inserted in their contract in case of leaving their job.

'And if a severance deal is agreed, no confidentiality clause should be included."

'The NHS belongs to, and is funded by, the public. We all have a right to know the details when one of these generous deals takes place.'