NORTH WEST NHS BUREAUCRATS RISE BY A FIFTH IN FIVE YEARS

12.19.00pm GMT Sun 20th Dec 2009

The number of bureaucrats hired by the NHS has increased by a fifth over the last five years, according to new figures obtained by Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.

The figures, revealed to Mr Stunell in a parliamentary question, show that:

• The total number staff in management positions in the North West NHS has increased from 4,358 in 2004, to 5,164 in 2008, a rise of 806.

• Central Manchester NHS Trust was the worst culprit, increasing the number of Managers employed from 68 to 240. Liverpool PCT also saw a big increase in managers, rising from 155 to 235.

• In Andrew's own area of Stockport, the combined total of Managers between Stockport NHS Trust and Stockport PCT rose from 112 to 126.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"The surge in the number of managers throughout the NHS in the North West is crazy when front line services are under such severe pressure.

"We need to ensure that money continues to be invested in front-line services and health professionals, not back-room offices and paper-pushers.

"The NHS budget is likely to come under even more strain in the coming years as we continue to feel the effects of the recession. With less money coming in, the government simply cannot afford to continue to waste it on more and more bureaucrats at the risk of cutting frontline services and damaging patient care."

ENDS