A HOSPITAL manager was paid a staggering £145,000 for just five months work.

Sandy Spencer, 58, earned the money while working as Southend Hospital’s interim chief operating officer.

The job was one of 13 NHS interim director jobs Mrs Spencer is said to have taken on in the past seven years.

After Southend, she went to Colchester Hospital, where she stayed for four months earning about £150,000.

Mary Foulkes, director of organisational development and human resources at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Sandy Spencer was employed at the hospital from June 24, 2013, until December 20, 2013, as an interim chief operating officer off payroll.

“The trust engaged Mrs Spencer’s services through an approved Government Procurement Service agency.

“We do not have access to Mrs Spencer’s contractual agreement with the supplier and cannot comment on the rate they paid her or the method.

“Monitor requires us to report assignments that last in excess of six months, which Mrs Spencer’s did not.”

Ms Foulkes added: “We are always mindful that we are spending public sector money when we bring in temporary experts, and value for money is important when making these interim appointments.

“Our contracts operate in accordance with Treasury rules that are circulated to all trusts.”

Mrs Spencer, 58, was brought in to replace Rupert Wainwright.

Jon Findlay then joined the hospital as chief operating officer in January, 2014.

Mrs Spencer’'s earnings were revealed as Southend Hospital struggles with a £9.8million gap in its budget.

The hospital also needs to recruit 100 nurses to cut a reliance on agency and temporary staff which has drained the trust’s coffers.

Alison Langley, a spokesman for the Department of Health, said hospital trusts were free to set their own rates of pay for chief executives.

Since 2012, the Treasury has told NHS trusts they must not pay off-payroll unless under extreme circumstances and never for more than half a year – Mrs Spencer has worked in each job for a maximum of six months.

She is said to have travelled the country as a chief operating officer and chief executive, providing short-term cover for hospitals.