View
comments
A general who led the Royal Marines' invasion of Iraq has been appointed to lead the biggest shake-up of NHS management in 40 years.
Sir Gordon Messenger has been asked to stamp out 'waste and wokery' in the health service and ensure 'every pound is well spent'.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid is keen to ensure none of the Government's recent £36billion tax rise for health and social care is wasted. This is likely to lead to a cut in the number of fat-cat NHS managers and bureaucrats so more money is spent directly on patient care.
Ministers hope retired military chief Sir Gordon, formerly second in command of the British Armed Forces, will apply his leadership skills from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to spearheading reform of the NHS during the most challenging period in its history. He has been told to 'drive up efficiency' amid concerns that too much of taxpayers' cash is going on bureaucracy.
Sir Gordon Messenger (pictured) has been asked to stamp out 'waste and wokery' in the health service and ensure 'every pound is well spent'
The number of backroom staff and managers in the health service has been creeping up over the past decade, while waiting lists for patients have soared to record highs. Of the 1.2million NHS employees, just 52.5 per cent are now doctors, nurses or other clinically trained staff.
Last month Mr Javid promised to be 'watchful of any waste or wokery' as he announced a 1.25 percentage point increase in national insurance to raise an extra £12billion a year.
The Government said the wide-ranging 'leadership review', launched today, marks the biggest shake-up of NHS management for 40 years. It will also aim to reduce stark regional inequalities in healthcare as part of the Government's 'levelling up' agenda.
Colonel Gordon Messenger, Commander of British Preliminary Operations in Southern Afghanistan on foot patrol in Lashkar Gar, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in 2006
Mr Javid said: 'I am determined to make sure the NHS and social care delivers for the people of this country for years to come and leadership is so important to that mission. We are committed to providing the resources health and social care needs but that must come with change for the better.
'This review will shine a light on the outstanding leaders in health and social care to drive efficiency and innovation. It
