David Oliver: A clinicians v managers blame game is a false dichotomy (25 August 2023)

Summary

The case of Lucy Letby has dominated recent headlines and caused widespread shock. Much of the early discussion in the media after the verdict has focused on whether NHS managers mishandled concerns and suspicions raised by doctors about the sudden deaths of babies and potential criminal actions—and has labelled the doctors raising those concerns as the problem.

But a polarised narrative of doctors versus managers won’t help resolve many underlying systemic issues in the NHS, writes David Oliver in this BMJ opinion piece. Many managers are themselves current or former clinical practitioners, so the divide isn’t sharp. Many of the serious problems currently affecting culture and morale in the NHS workforce happen with doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff in influential leadership and management roles. Simplistic and politicised talk of “pen pushers,” “bureaucrats,” and “too many managers” ignores the fact that many of the people in charge have clinical qualifications.