by Lynn Cox

A taxpayer-funded trip by five doctors to one of the world's premier ski resorts has been condemned as a "disgrace".

The surgeons and consultants from Medway Maritime Hospital attended the seminar, paid for by the NHS, at Val d'Isere in France.

The doctors, who are believed to earn six-figure salaries, had to attend around 15 hours of workshops and seminars over the four days - but the rest of the time they could take to the piste.

NHS bosses have defended the expenditure, which comes at the same time as a major cost-saving drive, as essential.

The "junket" has angered some health and other professionals, who said the trip was totally unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers' money.

The conference - Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Update - was held from Monday, January 30 to Thursday, February 2.

The resort hosted the World Cup Skiing event in 2009 and the four-day event is publicised on the doctors' update website, which states the conference included ski races, slaloms, a gala reception, prize giving and a cocktail party.

The website also states: "The idea behind this annual event is to have an educational week in a healthy environment, to meet and exchange views with some of your old and new colleagues and to get fit on the slopes so that you can return to work full of energy, ready to implement the knowledge that you acquired on the course."

The cost of the doctors' accommodation and flights up to £1,100 each was met by Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Gillingham hospital.

The doctors work at Medway Maritime Hospital

The trip has angered one medic, who said: "It really gets my goat. There are similar conferences in London which they could attend.

"It's one hell of a break going to Val d'Isere, to be on the slopes most of the time - it's a disgrace."

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Doctors need to keep up-to-date with their training but the General Medical Council system is flawed as it virtually promotes a target to spend up to.

"There's little justification for the glamorous location of this conference, it looks like an excuse to spend taxpayer-funded time on the slope. NHS budgets are tight, so it's incredible that taxpayers' money has been spent sending consultants on a junket to a French ski resort."

A Medway NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "Five doctors from the Trust have attended a conference in Val d'Iere, France.

"In order to maintain medical registration with the General Medical Council, all doctors have to attend external conferences for a minimum of five days every year.

"The trust covers basic costs and these expenses are capped at £1,100 per consultant per year.

"Activity is monitored closely to ensure that the content of the meetings is appropriate.

"Our doctors receiving up-to-date training is important to ensure our patients receive treatment and care in line with developments in medicine."