THE best part of �4,000 has been spent on sending two Swansea health workers on a fact-finding visit to Australia, it has emerged.
The duo — members of the mental health team at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University's Health Board — flew to Australia a fortnight ago.
A staff bulletin has revealed the two-week trip by Ian Stevenson, a senior nurse, and Gill Thornton, the clinical lead, for the department, was aimed at finding out more about a mental health triage service and how it could help patients in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.
But the trip is already being criticised as being over the top at a time of severe cash constraints.
One health worker, who does not want to be named, said: "It has been a 'jolly' to Australia."
Cutbacks
And John Edgecombe, chairman of the Swansea branch of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Community Health Council, said he was also surprised to learn about the visit, adding: "In times of cutbacks and financial constraints, they must look at whether a trip like that is essential.
"In the days of video conferencing, it's surprising the health board is spending that sort of money on events like this."
An ABM University Health Board spokeswoman said the �3,863.80 cost of the trip was being picked up by the organisation's mental health directorate.
She added: "Our staff flew out to Australia on March 9 for two weeks. As this visit was part of their working duties, during those two weeks they continued to work according to the normal working hours of their NHS contract.
"Appropriate staff cover was organised in advance in order to allow the individuals to attend this service improvement project."
She added: "During the visit staff will learn how this type of service would benefit our own patients.
"ABM aims to set up a similar service providing patients with rapid access to the advice, support and care they need."
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