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Press release: NHS Confederation welcomes the end to top down command and control management of the NHS

25 Apr 2001

It is very encouraging that the Government has realised that its command and control style of management of the NHS is now getting in the way of doctors, nurses and managers deciding locally what is best for local health services1. "The NHS Confederation has been calling for a change for sometime and these measures are very welcome indeed", said NHS Confederation chief executive, Stephen Thornton.

He continued: "The government's modernisation agenda for the NHS requires a huge amount of change which can only be done by staff on the ground. The role of top management is to set the climate within which this change can be achieved. Therefore, we very much welcome the new Modernisation Agency."

However, if the new Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are to be enabled to do their job of improving the quality of primary care and commissioning hospital care, then they will need to be properly resourced. "The money saved from reducing the number of health authorities needs to be ploughed back into supporting doctors, nurses and managers in PCTs," said Thornton.

Commenting on the reduction in the number of health authorities, Thornton said, "This is a sensible and logical step to take. It has long been anticipated in the service. Health authorities are already fulfilling some of the key roles of the new strategic health authorities and with larger population bases they will be able to be more effective."

Commenting on the change in accountability arrangements for NHS trusts (accountable now to the new health authorities rather than department of health regional offices) Thornton said, "it is again logical but we need to guard against a return to direct management of hospitals by their health authorities. NHS trusts need to have the freedom to manage their own affairs."

Ends

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management. Our members include over 95 per cent of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and health authorities in Wales; trusts and health boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State for Health speech, 25 April 2001

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