Lucy Letby, the NHS and the rise of managerialism | Letters
Pete Dorey believes most public services are thoroughly over-managed, Michael Barrett says whistleblowing policies are essential. Plus letters from Frances Kirkham and Jenny Webb Tom Dolphin’s excellent article on the failings of NHS management made sombre reading ( The Letby inquiry report makes one thing crystal clear: too much NHS management is scandalously poor, 16 September ). Yet I believe…
Pete Dorey argues that most public services are excessively managed, while Michael Barrett emphasizes the importance of whistleblowing policies. Jenny Webb's letter discusses Frances Kirkham's perspective on the matter.
Tom Dolphin's article on the inadequacies of NHS management is described as "sombre reading" (The Letby inquiry report makes one thing crystal clear: too much NHS management is scandalously poor, 16 September). The article highlights the central issue: there is far too much management within the NHS, which is deeply problematic.
However, the article asserts that most public services are, in fact, over-managed. Frontline professionals are often disregarded and disrespected by their institutional superiors, and face career risks if they speak out against poor decisions, overwhelming workloads, and unrealistic targets or "performance indicators."
The rise of managerialism, as the article suggests, can be traced back to the public service reforms implemented during the Thatcher governments in the 1980s. The article cites the phrase "management's right to manage" as the underlying mantra that was supposed to boost efficiency and responsiveness to service users.
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