The Pen-Pushers Who Are Costing Britain A Fortune

A TAX increase to save the NHS: that is how the Government has presented its bold plan to inject more cash into the health and social care systems through a hike in National Insurance.

- Leo McKinstry

But the great danger for the Tories is that much for the extra funding, which amounts to a colossal £36billion over the next three years, might never reach the front line, but instead will be squandered through waste and bureaucracy.

Profound disillusion will arise if this vast largesse, rather than clearing the Covid waiting list backlog and ending the social care crisis, is used as subsidy for the expansion of bloated officialdom.

The NHS is our most cherished institution because of the dedication of its professionals and its unique, historic principle of free access. But that high level of public affection cannot hide the reality that its resources are not always used wisely.

Staff regularly complain about how much of their time is swallowed up by pointless administration, much of it generated by pen-pushers with paper-shuffling exercises and endless meetings.

WORRYINGLY, there are already signs that this could be happening with the new cash settlement. On the day after Boris Johnson’s announcement of his plan, it was reported that the NHS is currently recruiting 42 new chief executives, on an average salary of £223,000, to oversee the establishment of “integrated boards”.