HANDS up all those who have had a pay freeze and only dream of earning £8,400 a month – after tax?
Many would question what world bosses awarding the chief executive of Grimsby's hospital a £25,000 pay rise actually live in.
Karen Jackson's wage is reported to have increased from £145,000 to £170,000.
Now it maybe, if responsibilities have changed, if the role has altered, if there has been a promotion, that such a pay rise is due.
But there is nothing to suggest that Ms Jackson's role has changed, or that another hospital has been swallowed up by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, for example, thereby expanding her role.
Oh, but hang on, let's put it in perspective:
Ms Jackson is in charge of the trust that was put in special measures last month (whether you agree with that or not) after the Keogh Report uncovered failings and an above-average death rate.
The trust reportedly has to make £15 million savings by 2015.
The 20 per cent pay rise of £25,000 is in itself only just under what the average British worker earns in a year.
And she now earns more than £25,000 more than the £142,500 paid to the Prime Minister David Cameron.
Now for the defence …
Dr James Whittingham, chairman of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The remuneration committee uses a national system to determine its decisions on pay. A variety of factors are taken into account, such as comparative salaries in the NHS, individual performance, and market forces.
"Karen Jackson's starting salary in 2010 was set below the agreed rate as it was her first chief executive post, and she declined a pay rise after her first year in the role. She is now receiving a salary that is roughly in line with the average for trusts of this size and type.
"It would be a grave mistake and false economy to pay so far below the market rate that executives leave their posts or are impossible to recruit."
Correct me if I am wrong, but this remains her first chief executive post and her CV includes being in charge of a trust put into special measures.
As for being market value, it suggests the trust is determined to keep hold of Ms Jackson, but at what price? And if other trusts are paying such high salaries, perhaps they should be looked at. After all, two wrongs don't make a right.
I will leave the last word to one hospital worker who posted on
www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk: "This year's pay rise is under review at the moment according to the email all NHS staff received from the chairman today. It's disgusting, I have worked in the hospital for 10 years and have seen this woman twice."