Figures uncovered by the Welsh Conservatives show that four local health boards have spent over £2million on redundancy payments for fewer than 25 members of staff in the past three years.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board paid £796,025 in redundancy payments in 2010/11 shared between just three individuals.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board paid out £1million in redundancy payments between 2010/11 and 2012/13 for just nine employees.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board paid £431,000 out in pension contributions or redundancy payments to fewer than ten employees.
There had been no redundancies over the period at Cwm Taf, Powys or Hywel Dda health boards.
The payments come at a time when the Welsh NHS is facing the worst budget settlement of any health service in the UK.
Darren Millar AM, Shadow Minister for Health and Social Services, said, “At a time when Welsh Labour’s legacy of record-breaking NHS cuts continues to hamper hardworking staff and frontline services, communities will rightly question the size of some of these payouts.
“Almost 800 thousand pounds for three members of staff in north Wales gives the impression that NHS fat cats are being rewarded for failure.
“Eye-watering payoffs won’t do anything to restore faith in a health board that has been home to severe management failings over the last few years.
“Patients who are languishing on ever lengthening waiting lists – or who have been denied access to modern cancer drugs – will be seeking assurances that this has not been the case.
“Across Wales, Labour-run health boards must ensure that redundancy payments are value for money and that precious money is being used wisely.”
