Thousands of NHS managers are being paid ‘six-figure’ salaries while staff are striking over pay

Thousands of NHS managers are allegedly raking in six-figure wages amid historic ambulance and nursing strikes over pay.

Around 3,500 senior staff members in the UK’s health service are now being paid salaries between £100,000 and £1million, The Telegraph has reported.

This comes less than a week after 30,000 nurses and 11,500 ambulance staff took to the picket lines in the biggest ever walkout in NHS history. 

Striking nurses have been brought to tears barely unable to ‘make ends meet’ – even when holding senior positions.

The Department of Health and Social Care revealed these statistics following questioning from Conservative MP John Redwood about the salaries of senior NHS staff.

Thousands of NHS managers are allegedly raking in six-figure salaries amid historic ambulance and nursing strikes over pay

It was claimed that 3,010 NHS Trust employees and staff at central health service organisations earn six figures each year.

Similarly high wages were allegedly made by 500 others at supporting NHS organisations. 

Just last year, MailOnline previously reported that 700 NHS managers were taking home salaries of more than £150,000.

The chief executive of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard was then reported to have earned up to £260,000 – £60,000 more than her predecessor.

A spokesman for the Government department said: ‘We recognise that NHS senior pay needs to be set at a level that enables employers to recruit, retain and motivate talented individuals, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.

‘The Health and Social Care Secretary is focused on ensuring resources are targeted on improving care for patients, funding is directed to frontline services and the NHS operates as effectively and efficiently as possible.’

The UK is bracing itself for even further strikes with ambulance staff walking out again on February 20, March 6 and 20. 

The spokesman added: ‘We are focused on improving care for patients and we are empowering our organisations to ensure funding is streamlined to frontline services.’

MailOnline has approached the NHS for comment.