§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Government have made on reducing management posts in the NHS. [88216]
§ Mr. DenhamWe recognise the importance of good management in improving health and modernising the National Health Service. We have no plans, therefore, to set targets to reduce the number of management posts in the NHS. However, we remain committed to tackling unnecessary bureaucracy to ensure that a greater proportion of every pound spent in the NHS is directed towards patient care.
Action taken to reduce NHS management costs in 1997–98 and 1998–99 have already freed up £¼ billion by 1999–2000 that would otherwise have been spent on bureaucracy. Further reductions are planned in 1999–2000.