THE chief executive of Southend Hospital will not take his financial bonus this year.

John Gilham, in charge of running the hospital, has advised the board of directors he would be waiving his contractual right to a financial reward.

Last year Mr Gilham earned a salary of £162,500 and a bonus of £6,000 before tax. His bonus this year would be performance related and be around 2 per cent, though the hospital’s remuneration committee has not yet agreed this.

He has also asked all executives and senior managers to individually consider waiving their own contractual rights for the year, but the hospital would not say how many have agreed to this.

There will also be no pay increase for executives and top managers.

Bonus payments achieved by staff for 2009/10 are still being honoured.

Mr Gilham said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on behalf of the senior management as these decisions are individual, personal and private.

“However, we can say there is significant support among the executive team for waiving their right. An inflationary pay agreement for staff on local terms and conditions was implemented in April, but this was not received by executives, consultants or very senior managers in line with national steer.”

Mr Gilham has been chief executive at the hospital since November 2006, before which he held the same role at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, for four years.