Press release: Investment in management makes a difference
16 May 2002
The NHS Confederation welcomed the Audit Commission's Operating Theatres - a bulletin for health bodies1 for pointing up the importance of investment in basic management and administrative systems in improving the efficiency of operating theatres. However, the Confederation also suggested that the bulletin's analysis failed to acknowledge the complexity of this change.
Nigel Edwards, policy director, said: "Once again the Audit Commission have produced a report which illustrates that contrary to the popular view, there has been underinvestment in many of the basic scheduling, information, management and other supporting systems in the NHS. Much of this is related to a view that investment in management systems is an unnecessary cost whereas this report shows the value that good administrative systems can have in supporting clinical staff and improving patient care. The NHS has recently been attacked for increasing the number of administrative and clerical staff. These unseen staff supported by proper investment in systems can make all the difference."
He added, "This is a helpful guide but does not really get to the heart of the issue of why the NHS has not invested in some of the basic management systems required to improve the use of operating theatres.
Sir Andrew Foster is right to draw attention to the need for efficiency gains but these require investment in new systems, the training of new staff and time for clinicians to redesign work practices. Operating theatres are the workplace for one of the most intellectually able workforces in any organisation; it seems insulting to them for him to suggest that these changes are simple and that they do not require careful planning and investment. There is undoubtedly scope for improvements in efficiency but, as the government has acknowledged, investment is needed to support the reform process."
Ends
Notes for editors
The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts, health authorities and local health groups in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
1 Published today. Audit Commission website: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/home/
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