Press release: NHS Confederation response to Patricia Hewitt's speech

16 Jun 2006

Commenting on Patricia's Hewitt's speech to the NHS Confederation annual conference, Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

"We are pleased that Patricia Hewitt is listening to NHS managers' concerns about the impact that damaged morale and loss of trust is having on the health service. Her commitment to tackle the macho culture should be welcomed as this requires action at every level. The last year has been bruising for many that work in the NHS.

"We welcome the recognition that a service the size of the NHS cannot be run from the centre and the improvements in the NHS have been made by people at the frontline. The test for the centre is to make it real and for every NHS organisation to ensure that we use the new freedoms to improve patient care.

"She also recognised that we need a new approach to performance management from the centre, with NHS managers and boards empowered to take local decisions that best meet local needs. We need to recognise that communities are different and respect the local solutions planned and executed by managers and clinicians.

"Finally, we welcome the acknowledgement from the secretary of state of the real difference that NHS managers make to patient care up and down the country."

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90 per cent of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland. 

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