Despite the NHS being in the midst of a funding crisis, staff are allowed to book business and premium economy flights.
One staffer working for the NHS Blood and Transplant body took a flight from London to San Diego costing a whopping £6,935.
And a Public Health England staff member was allowed to book a £5,935 flight from San Francisco to Heathrow.
In total, NHS quangos have booked 16,866 flights at a cost of £6.5 million since 2015, according to a major study by the Taxpayers’ Alliance.
Some 716 business class flights costing taxpayers £2.2 million and 174 premium economy flights cost £241,345.
Taxpayers’ Alliance chief John O’Connell said: 'Every year politicians and campaigners call for more money for the NHS, but it’s clear that extra cash doesn’t always find its way to A&E departments'The business flights breach government guidance.
It tells employees: “For international flights of over eight hours flying time, personnel should be provided with cost options for flying premium economy but may only be used with senior management agreement.”
More than 615 flights were taken by NHS quango staff that cost more than £1,000.
Public Health England, which earlier this year called on offices to ban birthday cakes and replace them with healthy snacks, have been prolific with booking luxury flights.
It took 121 business and premium economy class flights at a cost of £174,190.
This included 26 business flights at a cost of £51,258. The shocking revelations of luxury travel for NHS quango staff comes despite NHS England boss Simon Stevens last year warning of a £4 billion funding black hole in the health service.
Taxpayers’ Alliance chief John O’Connell said: “Every year politicians and campaigners call for more money for the NHS, but it’s clear that extra cash doesn’t always find its way to A&E departments.
“Many of these flights are a direct breach of government guidance on travel expenses, and this should act as a wake up call for NHS quangos to show more respect to taxpayers and patients by cutting down on excessive luxuries.
“I’m sure if the cost of these flights were deducted from their salaries, more sensible travel arrangements would have been made.”
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