INSPECTORS have come under fire for splashing more than £80,000 on hotels in just five days whilst reviewing Dorset’s healthcare- and some of the beds paid for were left empty.

The taxpayer-funded Care Quality Commission (CQC) has gone over budget on accommodation and travel by more than four times in a year- from £1.1m to £4.4m.

And it has been revealed the most money in a single trip was spent for the review of Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

More than 100 inspectors from the CQC were called to inspect the trust in June this year costing the service a total of £80,837.23 in hotel accommodation.

One hundred and eighteen staff spent five nights at the Premier Inn Bournemouth Westcliffe and the Village Urban Resort, Bournemouth.

The CQC paid £37,154.90 for the Premier Inn and £43,682.33 for the Village Urban Resort.

But although 675 bed nights were booked, only 590 bed were needed, meaning 85 rooms were paid for an not used.

Across the country inspectors stayed in historic hotels including Hoar Cross Hall Spa, a grade II-listed Staffordshire stately home in 50 acres of grounds.

But the Inspectors’ visit to Dorset was the largest single bill.

John Scott, regional engagement manager at the CQC said a travel and subsistence policy is followed to ensure that expenditure remains within the 'appropriate limits'.

He said: "The ‘new approach’ inspections involve larger teams, including specialist inspectors, experts in the field, and members of the public who represent the views of people who use services. Also, our comprehensive inspections last longer than those carried out using generalist inspection model. This is so that more time can be spent in observing the care that is being delivered.

We are committed to being an efficient and effective regulator. We regularly monitor and review our performance and impact and we report our findings and progress to our Board during sessions held in public, in the interests of openness and transparency."

Cllr Mike Byatt, who is on the Health Scrutiny Committee, said he was not happy with the figures and the CQC needs to make sure it 'doesn't happen again'.

He said: "It seems to be quite an excessive amount of money to me. I would hope that we wouldn't be in situations that would warrant this number of inspectors, days and money spent.

"We should try and meet requirements to the best of our abilities so that the isn't a need for such a lengthy inspection by the CQC.

"It is regrettable and we need to avoid this type of inspection in the future.

"This does pose questions about the level and standard of service that does need this type of inspection and if the number of inspectors and number of days is justified. The damage has been done and we need to ensure that this does not happen again.

"It isn't satisfactory that people in Dorset are crying out for help and £80,000 is being spent on hotel stays."