Steps to improve efficiency and cut bureaucracy in NHS, UK
UK Health Secretary, John Reid, today published the implementation framework for the review of Department of Health's Arm's Length Bodies (ALB's), setting out the first steps in reducing the number of bodies from 38 to 20.
John Reid said
"The organisation of arm's length bodies has grown over several decades and no longer meets the health and social care needs of today or the future. In July I announced the completion of the review of my department's arm's length bodies (ALBs) and we are now delivering:
-- a 50 per cent. reduction in the number of ALBs;
-- a saving of �500 million in expenditure by ALBs by 2007-08; and
-- a 25 per cent. reduction in posts in the same period.
"This is a vital step in the NHS's long-term programme of reform to improve efficency and reduce bureaucracy. The framework document I am publishing today sets out a clear structure for the remaining arms length bodies, along with specific timescales for change.
"By improving efficiency and cutting bureaucracy in arms length bodies, this government is reducing the administrative burden on frontline NHS staff while freeing up extra resources for services for NHS patients.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17075.php
And an article 5 years later on the same subject:
NHS bureaucracy bill soars by £78 million in two years
The amount spent on employing managers has risen by a quarter, or £78 million, in the past two years, the study shows. NHS Trusts blamed Whitehall targets for the increase.
It comes a day after NICE, the drugs rationing watchdog, refused funding for life-prolonging bowel cancer drug Avastin, saying it was not cost effective.
Pulse, a magazine for GPs, found that projected spending on management salaries has increased by 25 per cent between 2007/08 and 2009/10 in primary care trusts, which look after community services. It was up from £312million to £390million.
But the true figure is likely to be far higher, because only a third - 55 - of the 152 trusts responded.
The rise is largely down to trusts taking on more managers, with 15 that provided headcounts saying the number of posts had gone up 14 per cent.
These trusts also reported that the cost per manager had risen by 11 per cent. David Stout, director of the NHS Confederation's PCT Network, said it was "unrealistic" for such increases to continue.
Seems the bureaucracy won.
lowbridge: “Seems the bureaucracy won.”
Isn’t there a quote about those who give up liberty for security end up getting neither? I think the same applies to nationalized health care. It must be comforting to put one’s health care in the hands of the bureaucrats. Certainly they’ll take good care of you, right? LOL. As someone who has worked around government their entire adult life, government is never efficient. What a shame for Britain. We better hope we don’t continue down the same path.
“Seems the bureaucracy won.”
They always do.