LETTER: A few more questions on NHS costs
In the list of costs considered affordable in the reshaped NHS there are: nearly £2 billion a year in PFI rents and maintenance; £1billion to management consultancies to advise on endless restructuring plans, including ‘turnaround managers’ on nearly £750,000-a-year salaries; advertising agencies and logo redesigns as hospitals compete for business, and at least £4 billion in the costs of the ‘market’.
Putting contracts out to tender, buying and selling services, billing and invoicing, is an expensive business, great for accountants, lawyers and management consultancies, but very disruptive for services. Why?
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Hide AdAlso why is it OK for outsourced NHS services companies to have debts with interest at 20 per cent paid for by their NHS revenue, but not for publicly run hospitals to have a deficit, or for CCGs to continue to treat their patients?
Christine Hyde, by email