A prominent trauma surgeon has criticised a group of paediatric doctors for backing an increase in pokie machines at a local pub in exchange for a $500,000 donation to their hospital.

Dr John Crozier, chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeon’s trauma committee, says he is “horrified” that some doctors from Sydney’s Fairfield Hospital are supporting an application for the number of poker machines at the Fairfield Hotel to increase from 13 to 30.

In a letter attached to the application, a staff specialist thanks the hotel’s proprietor for attending a meeting at the hospital to review “obsolete and outdated” paediatric medical equipment, leading to the offer of a $500,000 donation from the hotel.

“In summary, the Fairfield Hotel has agreed to give $500,000 ($100,000 per year for five years) to the Fairfield Hospital Children’s Ward Charitable Trust should their application to the [Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority] be successful,” it reads.