NORTH WEST NHS BUREAUCRATS RISE BY A FIFTH IN FIVE YEARS - ALCOCK

11.28.00pm 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 Shadow Liberal Democrat MP for Oldham West & Royton including Chadderton, Mark Alcock.

The figures, revealed to Mark 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.

Commenting, Mark Alcock said:

"The surge in the number of managers throughout the NHS in the North West is barmy 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 pen-pushers.

"The NHS budget is likely to come under even more strain in the coming years as we continue to feel the effects of Gordon Browns deficit. 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 across Oldham West & Royton."