Guido hears there is bedlam over at the Department of Health over the numerous tranches of job cuts in that corner of the public sector. After announcing successive cuts of 35% and 15% for NHS England, this week major changes have around half its workforce in sight (6,500 jobs). That’s all while chief executive Amanda Pritchard and medical director Stephen Powis say they are stepping down. Enough to raise hairs – to add salt to the wound there is contradictory communication on how job cuts will work…
DHSC were reportedly told at an all-staff briefing yesterday that they would suffer no job losses and all of the 50% reduction, whose aim is to “reduce the duplication of jobs between the two organisations,” will affect NHSE. One day later Guido hears incoming NHSE CEO Sir Jim Mackey has told his staff that this is definitely not the case as per his communications with health secretary Wes Streeting – leaving staff scratching their heads as to who will be getting the sack. Sounds like some reassurances have been falsely given…
In Henry Mance’s piece today for the FT, lunching with Nigel Farage:
“Splendido!” Farage says, when the drinks arrive; I suppose it’s a step to European reconciliation. We clink glasses, and he lights the first of two back-to-back Benson & Hedges. A few minutes later, we’re back downstairs. “Are you drinking? Good.” He orders a glass of Sauvignon blanc for each of us — not a bottle, “because it’s Lent” — followed by a bottle of claret, to have with our meal. They say Farage drinks less than he used to. They say a lot of things.”