The job cuts announced by chancellor Gordon Brown were in
line with the efficiency review conducted by Peter Gershon, former
head of the Office of Government Commerce, which was published last
week.
The Department of Health intends to ensure that, where possible,
NHS organisations, particularly in primary care, share and
rationalise back-office services such as finance, IT and human
resources.
There will be a reduction in the Ministry of Defence in the numbers
of civilians and military personnel in administrative roles by more
than 15,000 and rationalisation of back-office systems and business
change should bring savings of £300m.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office plans to rationalise its
back-office functions, principally its human resources and finance
directorates, and reduce the overall pay bill during the 2004
spending review period.
The Department of Health plans to make better use of staff time,
for example through the implementation of an IT infrastructure for
the NHS. Electronic patient records, appointment booking and
prescription transfer will mean less wasted time spent checking
patient information, fewer letters and no lost prescriptions.
The Home Office, working with the Association of Chief Police
Officers, is aiming to increase time spent on front-line policing,
implementing Airwave, the new police digital radio system and
maximising the effective use of support staff.
The Department for Education and Skills also plans to enable
front-line professionals in schools, colleges and higher education
to use their time more productively through IT.
Source: Releasing resources for the front line: independent review
of public sector efficiency
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//879E2/efficiency_review120704.pdf