A CONSERVATIVE former minister has criticised the salaries of some south Essex NHS managers, with some being paid “more than the Prime Minister”.

This comes as the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, which manages Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals, is advertising for a managing director for each hospital with salaries ranging from £100,000 to £200,000.

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, told the Commons today: “The Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust are now trying to appoint three permanent managing directors to each hospital to provide stability, which makes sense, but they’re offering a salary of £200,000 for each post, which is more than the Prime Minister earns to run the country.

“So, now that it’s on his watch, will the Secretary of State take a personal interest in this? We should pay a good rate for that job, but £200,000 sends all the wrong signals to all the other very hardworking people in the trust.”

It comes as part of Labour's plans to reform the NHS, with the Government pledging to create a 10-year plan to tackle its most serious problems after a damning report found it was “in trouble”.

In response to Mr Francois' concerns, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he had a "more nuanced" position and wanted to see good leadership at the NHS.

Mr Streeting replied: “I think we do have to keep a sharp eye on value for money, I think Darzi presents some – if I can put it this way – politically challenging messages around NHS management, because I could be wildly popular with the country if I stood up and said I’m going to take the axe to management across the country and sack loads of managers.

“What we need is better management and a sharp eye on value for money. The NHS would not work without good leadership, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got the right people in the right place and delivering against the public’s expectation. So, it’s a more nuanced position.”