Press release: HPSS management costs suprise
23 Jun 2003
- £61 in every £1000 spent on management
- Less spent on management than in England, Wales or Scotland
A new report released today has found that the total percentage of expenditure on Health and Personal Social Services' management has actually decreased in the last year, with levels significantly below those elsewhere in the UK. The report, produced by health management specialists MSA Ferndale, was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Services to compare the value for money provided in Northern Ireland.
Crucially the report highlights how:
- In England and Scotland the percentage of expenditure on management costs increased by 4%. In Wales and Northern Ireland, this percentage decreased by a similar amount.
- Management costs per head in Britain have increased by between 9% and 15% while costs per head in Northern Ireland have increased by a much smaller 5%.
- From the limited information available, HPSS management costs in Northern Ireland compare well with other areas of public service.
- HPSS management costs in Northern Ireland are low compared to those in Australia, USA and the Republic of Ireland.
- Significant savings in management costs are unlikely to result from the re-organisation of health structures.
Speaking on the publication of the report, Confederation Chair Dr Paula Kilbane, Chief Executive of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board stated,
"This report was commissioned as part of an ongoing process of evaluation of the cost of managing Health and Social Services bodies throughout Northern Ireland. Our first priority is the provision of the highest quality of care to patients and clients, coupled with the provision of best value for money. To put the case simply, this report highlights the fact that for every £1000 spent in providing Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland, £61 is spent on managing those services."
Dr Kilbane said the report showed that, in comparison with the UK and other comparable countries, Northern Ireland leads the way in providing value for money.
"We are pleased that the results of this report highlight the fact that the cost of managing such a complex and important sector as Health and Social Services is lower than the rest of the UK, as well as Australia, the US and the Republic of Ireland. Robust and efficient management structures are necessary to provide the support to make sure front line staff can deliver a high quality service, and while the system is far from perfect, and while there is much that could be improved, we are clearly working to ensure that these essential services are well and efficiently managed".
She added that the report comes at a time when the sector faces into potentially huge changes. Dr Kilbane said that the Confederation had been waiting for some time to see the shape of those changes, and had been working to contribute positively to the process of change. She stated,
"The Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Services welcomes changes which will improve patient and client care, whilst providing the tax payer with the best value for money, and we will continue to contribute positively to that debate. However, what this report highlights beyond doubt is the fact that the people in the organisation we represent are working very hard, very efficiently and very prudently in very difficult circumstances."
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Notes for editors
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