NHS finance directors are working an average of 12 hours a day, often six days a week. And an increasing number are taking on responsibility for other areas of work, according to a survey by the NHS organisation, Pay and Workforce Research.

The survey of 141 directors found all of them reporting excessive workloads. The trend for them to take on executive responsibility for information management and technology has continued, with 55 per cent saying it is now integral to their job.

Over the last 12 months, 45 per cent had taken on additional responsibilities, and 71 per cent now have responsibilities in addition to finance.

The median salary for finance directors was£60,500. Pay for men was about 5 per cent more than for women. Only 21 per cent of those replying to the survey received performance-related pay.

Directors and staff were said to be demotivated by plans for shared services and the threat of more reorganisation. Nearly all directors said shared services, primary care trusts and mergers were the main issues that would affect their roles in the short and long term.

Pay Update Report. www. payandwork. co. uk