Health bosses still on the lookout for savings

“Hi everyone - sorry about the delay in my response, but I was trying to gather as many facts and figures as I could.

There's a number of queries about managers. It's not as simple as 'us and them', as in the sterotypical view of managers in suits and clipboards breathing down the necks of frontline clinical staff like doctors and nurses (I cringe when I watch things like Holby City sometimes!). In reality a large number of our managers are actually doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, etc. Some are still treating patients as well as managing their budgets and staff, others are now managing services full time.

To keep a big organisation like a health board running, with a £1.2 billion budget, four major hospitals and all the rest of the NHS services we provide, it does take a lot of support services as well. For example we have an estates department, with carpenters and electricians employed. We also have a planning department, and a finance department, and an HR department. Without these, hospitals and the rest of our services wouldn't be able to function.

So to put things in context, in August 2011 we had 12,989 full time equivalent staff. This means full time jobs. We actually had more people than that working for us, but some were part-time or job sharing so therefore not full time. In August of this year, we had 13,132 full time equivalent staff, a slight increase. Of these, 2,447 were admin and Estates department staff.

Staff costs are over half a billion £ a year. In 2010-11 they were £540 million, and in 2011-12 they were £550 million. The cost of agency staff - brought in to fill gaps in staffing was £7.6 million.

It's not possible to give an exact figure for all our management costs, because of the different roles people have including some having clinical roles as well. However, I can give you the cost of our directors, who are the most senior managers (again, some have clinical backgrounds). In 2010-2011 it was £1.68 million, and in 2011-12 it went down slightly to £1.63 million.

Another cost you may find interesting is the amount we spend on clinical supplies like medicine, bandages, etc - £95 million last year.

As far as procurement (buying goods and services) is concerned, we are constantly reviewing the prices we pay. Our Procurement department tests the market on the full range of goods and services. However, it is also required to operate within the rules of public sector procurement and EU regulations.

I hope this helps.”

“Why do they need a vice chair and all the other executives and non execs?. Have a look at what they earn on the ABM website. That's where the savings should start not by cutting nursing numbers to save money. What about patient safety?”

“Perhaps ABMU could let us know what grades are considered to be managers in the NHS? is it Band 6 or band 7 staff who are (in the nursing hierarchy) ward staff or district/community staff. or are only Band 8 and above considered to be managers?”

“I agree with many off the comments,why not bring back car park charges £1 day no one will mind paying that,think how many people enter the hospital a day,and how much money that would generate,each year.Its usually the lowest paid workers that suffer,staff leave no ones employed,so the staff that are there are expected to do double the work load,which leads to more sickness as staff are so stressed and over worked,you never see the managers being hands on anymore and acually giving you a hand,but they still expect all work to be done,and high standards maintained WELL IT JUST CANT BE DONE !!!!”

“brochadav i didn't think u were a Tory, i'd say u have a touch of the UKIP about u. Mind U not much point in standing for them, more chance of a sunny day in merthyr tydfil than that lot getting an AM”

“Neathie, I wouldn't stand with the Tories if that's your suggestion. All 3 main parties are rubbish. More concerned with not losing the next election rather than trying to win it.
Our health service should be treasured, it is one of the greatest 20th century achievements which the last 2 governments have seriously let down, as they have the Armed forces, the police and schools.
I wouldn't get very far in politics because I am honest and, right or wrong, I believe in what I say.”

“Anyone know why Win Griffiths is still working as a 69 Year old.”

“brochadav If you believe in what you say so much stand as an AM, lets see how far you get. Which party would u stand for, now let seeeeeeeeee!”

“1/ New terms and conditions need implementing. 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay is too generous in this day and age. People take advantage.
2/ Management levels and pay need scrutinising as does their suitability for the job. Some NHS managers couldn't run a bath.
3/ A previous post about postage is spot on, I have received letters telling me an appointment has been made and that another letter will be sent telling when that is. I have unfortunately spent a lot of time in Hospitals this last 2 years and have had literally dozens of extra letters.
4/I actually believe car parking at hospitals should be subject to a charge, but only 20 pence a time with staff parking free. This would cover the cost of maintaining the car parks and fee up funds for medical use.
5/ Any medical treatment required as a result of breaking the law should be subject to charge. If a speeding motorist crashes their insurance should have to cover all costs. Likewise if someone commits GBH they should have to pay their victims hospital treatment.
Bank and agency staff do cost more and wouldn't it be cheaper to employ more staff in the long run?
Executive pay, why do executives get so much money and always have above inflation pay rises.”

“Stork.....thank you, you have highlighted some of the issues and problems with staffing and some of the waste that could so easily be dealt with and eradicated.
It's such a shame that your daughter is treated in such a way especially with the qualifications she has achieved. What a total waste of a talent.
My "obsession" is with the high amount of money wasted in the NHS, I'm sure many would agree that there are savings to be made and the management structure, which does not always benefit patients does not help.
One last point, how many additional trauma and emergency cases did it take to overspend by 7.5 million?”