Healthcare CEO who spent £17,000 on staff trip to Florida retires after criticism

A healthcare Chief Executive Officer has decided to retire after facing disapproval for taking seven staff members to a conference in Florida at the cost of £17,000.

Dr Frank Harsent was the CEO of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Harsent faced criticism for the decision as it came a week before the two hospitals at the trust declared a major incident status. Neither of the hospitals had enough staff to handle the quantity of patients. He said that his decision to retire is unrelated to the recent backlash.  

With the BBC clamping down on staff expenses, and 85% of employees admitting that they lie about their expenses, the spotlight is currently focused on public budgets, with extravagances needing to be justifed to both HR and the public.