‘Fat cat’ executives at Barnet Hospital are earning in excess of £100,000 a year, it has emerged.

Three executives pocketed more than £200,000 each last year, including generous pension contributions, with chief executive Averil Dongworth receiving almost £300,000.

Medical director Richard Harrison was paid £246,500 in wages and pension contributions and Mary Joseet, director of performance, planning and partnership earned £206,300.

The three executives are employed by Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, Barnet.

Ms Dongworth’s wages and pension contributions last year could have paid the salaries of twelve newly qualified nurses.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “While ordinary families are suffering in the financial crisis, the public sector elite are enjoying record pay packages.

“Far too often, senior officials get massive pay rises and generous bonuses despite serious failures on their watch.

“Where someone is earning huge amounts at taxpayers’ expense they must be accountable to the people who pay the bill and who rely on the services they run.”

A spokeswoman for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust defended Ms Dongworth’s salary.

She said: “It is commensurate with running a £280 million organisation that treats half a million patients with responsibility for over 4,000 staff and is in line with similar organisations within the NHS.”