THE Board of the St Helens & Knowsley Community Health (NHS) Trust has awarded its senior managers a 2 per cent pay rise for the period 1996/97 - almost 1 per cent below the current level of inflation.

The decision announced this week affects all of the trust's senior managers, including the chief executive directors.

"Our prime consideration is to ensure that the trust makes the maximum resources available for patient care," said trust chief executive Danny McCaul. "Keeping management costs at a minimum means that more money will be available to help pay for that care.

"We also have to ensure that the trust's cash reserves are adequate to pay wage awards currently under negotiation for front-line staff dealing directly with patients/clients. The 2 per cent award set for senior managers will help the trust in achieving this goal.

"In addition, it should be remembered that the annual pay for the trust chairman and non-executive directors has remained static since 1992."

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