§ Lord Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures have been taken to eliminate unnecessary administrative posts in the National Health Service with a view to spending government funding on front-line services. [HL4417]
§ Baroness AndrewsThe programme of reform set out in the Government's NHS Plan is already ensuring that more resources get to front-line services, and bureaucracy is being cut. From April 2003,75 per cent.
46WAof the total National Health Service budget is now allocated directly to primary care trusts. We have reduced management bureaucracy through the abolition of regional offices and the replacement of 95 health authorities with 28 strategic health authorities. The number of managers in strategic health authorities in 2002 was around 1,400 compared with 5,700 in health authorities in 2000.
We remain committed to reducing unnecessary bureaucracy in the NHS. Our programme of reform, for example through the introduction of a modern information technology system into the NHS, will support this process.