Plan to put outside managers in NHS is criticised

Government plans to set up a register of non-NHS managers to run failing NHS trusts have been given short shrift by health service managers and the Institute of Directors—although some doctors believe the plans could work.

Health secretary Alan Milburn announced his plans for a register when he named the four failing trusts that are to come under franchised management from April. These are Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, and Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust. However, management of this first round of trusts will go to the best NHS managers, not private sector ones.

The register will include experts from the public, private, and …