Pay threat to Camden and Islington Foundation Trust

Published: August 11, 2011

YOUR report (Pay threat to mental health services, August 4) regarding the Camden and Islington Foundation Trust, was deeply disturbing, and its contents encouraged Camden Green Party members to join the Defend Whittington Hospital protest. We’ve since seen the details of the consultation, which appear to be even worse than previously reported.

A staff member explained to us that essential 30 jobs in mental health are being cut to 16, with experienced band-7 staff being replaced by just-graduated band-3s. 

The number of welfare advisers is also being halved.

We’re told that service users have not been consulted, nor have the GPs, who will have to carry the extra work.

This surely cannot be allowed to happen. A good alternative place to start would be by seeking to reduce pay differentials, so that the costs of executive managers are reduced not those of front-line staff. As you reported, the chief executive and her deputy are paid £160,000 and £150,000 respectively. We need to move away from a culture of overpaid executive managers.
Cllr Maya de Souza
Green Party, Highgate ward