ROLE OF SUPPORT STAFF AND MANAGERS IN THE NHS

Early day motion 800, tabled 19 October 2005 by David Anderson (Labour). Signed by 91 members.

That this House notes that an organisation the size of the NHS, treating one million people every 36 hours, must have effective management as well as administrative and clerical staff; recognises that, of the 1.3 million staff in the NHS, 84 per cent. are involved directly in patient care, with just 16 per cent. providing the infrastructure support, including cleaning, catering, IT and human resources, necessary to keep hospitals, surgeries and NHS organisations running effectively, of which three per cent. are managers and senior managers; has concerns that accusations of a proliferation of `pen-pushers' and bureaucrats in the NHS are damaging to the morale of hardworking NHS staff and to the quality of the health debate; encourages honourable Members to engage fully with their local health community in their constituency and show their support for the whole health team; and welcomes the joint campaign by UNISON and the NHS Confederation to show the real people behind the non-clinical roles in the NHS and how managers and support staff are necessary if clinicians are to be able to deliver first-class services to patients.

Signatures by party: Labour 69, Liberal Democrat 17, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Conservative 2.