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David J   06/11/2013 at 11:48

Rarely do I agree with Sir David who has created a top down, target orientated NHS that is robustly enforced, to use a phrase. But it is true the constant reorganisation of the NHS is a disgrace which has created a cohort of resilient senior managers who can only deliver strategic change and not much in operational improvement, hence problems in delivery and the press and political class in full "hunt the scapegoat" frenzy. Good money is paid to Very Senior health managers in excess of the PM's salary! But remember PM's when they depart will command millions in the global conference/speech giving market. To compare public sector pay to the PM's remuneration is plain silly.

Sally Fox   06/11/2013 at 12:08

If we constantly denigrate and criticise them they are going to respond. We have a responsibility to support those people in incredibly difficult jobs. The second thing I'd say is if people would stop constantly reorganising the NHS we'd have less of this turbulence. Both the comments above by David Nicholson are relevant. However, it would be very helpful if these would also be applied to our very hardworking GPs and primary care staff who bear the brunt - and mostly negative - of just about everything that goes on in the NHS at the moment.

Linda   06/11/2013 at 12:56

I agree with both Sally and scarily the article. frequent reorganisatins do no one any good. The salaries of other managers generally lower down the pecking order could do to be enhanced to. GPs Practice managers in particular are nothing like as well paid as they deserve if the FPM data is accurate and I have no reason to doubt it. No we are not just glorified receptionists as one consultant opined recently nor as the gutter ie most of the press seem to think.

Richard G   06/11/2013 at 12:56

Firstly, I believe we should get away from 'stovepiping' by referring either to the 'NHS' or 'managers', when we are essentially taking about all healthcare managers and leaders throughout the Health Sector. The challenges we face extends much further than the NHS. Secondly, if we are to accept Sir David's advice that future healthcare managers and leaders are to receive better pay, shouldn't we as the taxpayer and witness to countless indiscretions, insist upon greater accountability, regulation and performance management of our executives. In my opinion, it is no longer acceptable for the most senior positions to be regarded as the natural progression of any senior 'manager' [not necessarily leader], but awarded to our most capable and effective leaders. Finally, I believe that it is imperative that we either stop referring to healthcare managers and leaders as 'managers', or that we stop expecting our 'managers' to lead. A clearer distinction between the competencies and renumeration of healthercare 'managers' and 'leaders' needs to be made.

Tom   20/11/2013 at 19:34

Richard makes an excellent point; its nonsense to say you need great salaries for great leaders if they haven't led; i.e. they have been passengers in a system that they admit they inherited; "not my fault guv". People who oversee lots of others but don't lead are called managers or supervisors and they are not worth the massive sums from the public purse that they have been given. Top drawer people...I'd hate to see the bottom drawer!

Denise   25/03/2015 at 16:21

Putting aside huge salaries for NHS chief executives what about managers who are on middle management salaries which are far from huge! We had a pay freeze for 3 years, now this, which amounts to virtually another pay freeze as the 1% cost of living rise will not even be noticed! I agree with helping the lowest paid but not at the expense of others who have worked hard to get to where they are, and continue to work hard. No one gets to rest on their laurels in the NHS.