NHS PAY-OFFS: NEW SHOCK IN EAST SUSSEX

Gina Brocklehurst, the former chief executive of Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust, was, according to a number of sources, paid around 230,000 to step down as part of reorganisation.

It is believed she left the Trust because of a board merger - but then moved to another six-figure salaried job elsewhere in the NHS.

The claim has been made by Dr David Hanraty, a well-respected GP who has treated people all over the Eastbourne area for more than 40 years.

Seaford and Polegate MP Norman Baker has backed up the allegation and a source within the PCT has also said staff believe a huge payment was made to Ms Brocklehurst.

Earlier this month the Herald revealed the same NHS Trust paid out 243,000 severance to Iheadi Onwukwe, a former director of public health.

Dr Onwukwe had only worked for the Trust for three weeks before his unexplained departure, and is also thought to have been paid 325,000 in salary while he was sent home on "gardening leave" before leaving the Trust in May 2005.

The PCT has since merged with another Trust and is now the East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust.

On Wednesday Nick Yeo, the chief executive of the new organisation was questioned on the pay-off at a public meeting to discuss changes to healthcare in the Eastbourne area.

Dr Hanraty told Mr Yeo, "Your predecessor was given a pay-off of 230,000 and is now working at the Strategic Health Authority."

Following the meeting Mr Yeo said the details of any pay-offs will be published in the final annual report of the, now defunct, Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust, which is expected to be published sometime in the spring.

However Mr Yeo also said, given the public interest in this issue, the board of the current PCT is considering releasing the information at an earlier date.