Over 1,600 NHS Senior Managers Earn Six-Figure Salaries Amid Rising Waiting Times

A recent TaxPayers' Alliance report revealed that over 1,600 senior NHS managers received six-figure remuneration packages in 2023-24, including salaries, bonuses, and pension contributions, with 512 earning more than the Prime Minister's salary. Despite these high salaries, many managers oversee trusts with poor performance metrics, such as long A&E waiting times and increased waiting lists, exemplified by the highest-paid manager at University Hospitals Plymouth, whose trust ranked poorly for A&E waiting times. Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced a new “carrot and stick” system aiming to link pay rises and bonuses to improved patient outcomes, with penalties for failing managers. The number of NHS executives earning over £110,000 has more than doubled since 2014, raising concerns about bureaucracy growth amid deteriorating patient satisfaction and service metrics. Critics argue that while management salaries have risen significantly, frontline clinical staff, including doctors in training, often earn much less, highlighting a misalignment of priorities within the NHS. The government insists it is targeting bureaucracy layers to improve efficiency, but watchdogs continue to call for a review of managerial skills and remuneration amid persistent performance issues.