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Why Has Boris Johnson Appointed an NHS Manager With a Questionable Track Record to the Top of the Civil Service?

by Timothy Bradshaw
23 May 2022 2:00 PM

Sue Gray’s report into Partygate is coming out soon and the PM is announcing a big shake-up of the structure of the Civil Service by way of a pre-emptive defence against criticisms of chaotic management in 10 Downing Street, as the Guardian reports.

Under the shake-up, the Government announced changes that will “enhance the support that is offered to the Prime Minister and to the Cabinet”. The Cabinet Office will be split into two, with domestic policy oversight, national security and legislative units handed to No 10 under Jones. The remaining Cabinet Office functions including Whitehall changes and Civil Service administration will remain under the Cabinet Office permanent secretary, Alex Chisholm.

This raises the question: ‘Who is Jones?’ In April 2021, Samantha Jones was appointed the Prime Minister’s top adviser on NHS transformation and social care. 

It is perhaps unsettling news that an NHS management guru is now suddenly a permanent secretary under the beleaguered Simon Case, based in 10 Downing Street. She is the second most important Government official in the state, with a brief covering national security. As the Daily Mail reported:

She began her NHS career as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital but quickly realised life on the wards was not for her. While still a trainee, she went to see the Chief Nurse at the London Children’s Hospital and declared she wanted to go into management. She later recalled: “I said, ‘I don’t know why I want to be a manager, but I’ve got four brothers. I’m too stroppy. I have to stand by my beds while the consultant does his ward round and I’m not allowed to speak until I’m spoken to – and I’m not having any of that.’”

The Mail interview goes on to say that her favourite book is Machiavelli’s The Prince, a 16th-century guide to ruthlessly obtaining and maintaining political power, perfect for life in the byzantine 10 Downing Street court. Her dream dinner party guests would include Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, David Walliams and Nelson Mandela, so she will fit perfectly with Sir Michael Barber, the PM’s manager of ‘delivery’ and former close aide to Tony Blair – the Blairite tendency grows apace. So the NHS, a truly broken institution, is now the source of salvation for our nation’s administration, supplying top officials to Downing Street. Matthew Taylor, who is Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, is a former political strategist to Tony Blair.

Ms. Jones was involved in a minor scandal when, as Chief Executive of Epsom and St Helier Hospital, she was involved in appointing her sister-in-law, Ruth Harrison, to a £50,000 a year job after Harrison, Chief Executive of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, had been criticised for her management of a hospital in which patients died due to poor infection control. Ms. Harrison also got a pay off of £140,000, which attracted criticism from MPs and the Tax Payers’ Alliance.

On the face of it, NHS management would seem the very last place for 10 Downing Street in its state of utter chaos to recruit an administrator. So who is Samantha Jones and why has she been propelled to the top of the Civil Service so fast? Her claim to fame appears to be that she was in charge of the implementation of the Vanguard programme of restructuring care in the NHS via new ‘care models’ between 2015 and 2017. 

This extremely open-ended, costly programme described itself in September 2016 as follows:

Between January and September 2015, 50 vanguards were selected to take a lead on the development of new care models which would act as the blueprints for the NHS moving forward and the inspiration to the rest of the health and care system. Through the new care models programme, complete redesign of whole health and care systems were being considered.

Vanguards are local collectives which offer health care and which can experiment and develop new ways and models of provision.  

How might the effectiveness of Ms. Jones’s project be evaluated? With difficulty it seems, according to the Manchester University Evaluation Report of 2019. Referencing the 2018 National Audit Office Report, it says:

The recent NAO report (2018) suggests approximately £329m direct investment between 2015 and 2018 with an additional £60m on the Vanguard NCM programme, support and monitoring (including national and local evaluation and staff costs). However, support costs are approximate, as there is no clear accounting for the time of staff seconded from other roles in NHSE to support the programme.

The project clearly costs a lot of money, but is it worth it? This Manchester University report concludes that the project is muddled, to use lay language:

In terms of future policy making and planning we suggest that the multiple purposes underpinning the NCM Vanguard programme may have been problematic. For example, there is a tension between the need for ‘good news’ from a programme and the need to really understand in depth whether and how particular changes to services are actually beneficial. We have highlighted the lack of clarity over how the NCM Vanguard programme was intended to be disseminated and spread and shown a tension between approaches to ‘scaling up’ and ‘spreading out’. It may be useful for those involved with the NCM Vanguard support and evaluation programme to work closely with the team now responsible for supporting developing ICSs, with the explicit intention of considering whether and how the different local NCM Vanguard service models might best be implemented over a wider population. 

A major difficulty with the Vanguard project erupted with a threat of strike action by staff affected by one of the new Vanguard models introduced in Manchester. Unions warned that they could see support workers given potentially dangerous tasks like administering controlled drugs. They were concerned that the Vanguard new model would involve “piling duties on to unqualified workers”.

Vanguard has been very expensive and is hardly a storming success story. While Ms. Jones may have been an effective hospital chief executive, her record doesn’t really explain why she is now a permanent secretary atop the British Civil Service and a close advisor to the PM in 10 Downing Street across all policy areas. Just what criteria is Downing Street using to make these appointments?

Dr. Timothy Bradshaw is a retired Lecturer in Theology at the University of Oxford.

Tags: Boris JohnsonDowning StreetNHSPartygate

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52 Comments
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Free Lemming
Free Lemming
2 years ago

Q: Why Has Boris Johnson Appointed an NHS Manager With a Questionable Track Record to the Top of the Civil Service?

A: Because Jones is a woman.

Last edited 2 years ago by Free Lemming
53
-1
David Beaton
David Beaton
2 years ago
Reply to  Free Lemming

Should that not be “identifies as” to meet ‘diversity’ rules?

26
0
Corky Ringspot
Corky Ringspot
2 years ago
Reply to  David Beaton

Seen the photos? I think maybe what you’re suggesting is what’s actually happening. She has Tyson Fury’s chin.

Last edited 2 years ago by Corky Ringspot
0
0
David Beaton
David Beaton
2 years ago
Reply to  Free Lemming

Why does no-one of rank and experience challenge the suitability of the Appointment ?

Is Johnson now ‘officially’ a Dictator?

22
0
Fingal
Fingal
2 years ago
Reply to  Free Lemming

More likely, because a) she isn’t a civil servant b) she’s a mate.

10
0
Cecil B
Cecil B
2 years ago
Reply to  Free Lemming

Because he needs a Shit Magnet

5
0
Catee
Catee
2 years ago

‘On the face of it, NHS management would seem the very last place for 10 Downing Street in its state of utter chaos to recruit an administrator.’

I disagree, this woman’s track record is exactly what they’re looking for, clearly her snout is so deeply embedded in the trough she will do just what they require of her.

75
0
David Beaton
David Beaton
2 years ago
Reply to  Catee

The NHS is to be the Command Centre for the new WHO run Health Dictatorship.

Its other functions like patient care etc et will be farmed out as necessary. Many will be told to look after themselves in a “Virtual” ward at home with a daily text to check up on them. Oh and of course, to ensure their ‘vaccines’ are up to date!

GPs not seeing patients is just the start!

Last edited 2 years ago by David Beaton
45
0
Andrea Salford
Andrea Salford
2 years ago

Just too depressing to read. Government, Parliament, MSM…it’s just a bloody awful soap opera that’s gone on too long with a predictable script that you can’t avoid because even if you do everything possible not to be drawn in or follow it the easily pleased/duped, brainwashed can’t get enough/shut up about it.

Last edited 2 years ago by Andrea Salford
60
0
Milo
Milo
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrea Salford

Partygate pictures to be published within 48-hours, claims Dominic Cummings (msn.com)

It is unclear where Mr Cummings believes the pictures will come from. However he appeared to suggest they may emerge from unhappy civil servants who were fined over lockdown breaches.

It was also possible they may feature in the long-awaited Partygate report. That document, following an inquiry conducted by senior civil servant Sue Gray, is expected to be published this week.

More than 300 pictures were given to police by Ms Gray as a result of her probe. It is unknown if any of these will appear in the report which is thought to be being published on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

The former senior aide says the images will show Boris Johnson “obviously lied to the Commons and possibly to the cops”, reports the Daily Mirror.

4
0
Hopeless - "TN,BN"
Hopeless - "TN,BN"
2 years ago

Probably at the top of the Carrie Christmas Card list.

Another stage in the head-down rotting of the Governmental, Parliamentary and Party fish.

48
0
MrTea
MrTea
2 years ago

I have a radical idea.
How about letting medics advertise their services and let people pay for those services if they want them?
You know, a bit like how various food retailers offer their products for sale and you can decide to purchase whateverit is you want according to your means.
Having the government involved only ever makes things worse.

44
0
Marcus Aurelius knew
Marcus Aurelius knew
2 years ago
Reply to  MrTea

You’re right, it is a bit radical. Naughty step.

1
0
David Beaton
David Beaton
2 years ago

Has she been to Davos? Is she a ‘Schwab ‘ New Young Leader” recruit?

43
-1
Rogerborg
Rogerborg
2 years ago

“Termagant” is a word that needs to be brought back into common usage.

Can’t think why that’s leapt to mind.

13
0
rtaylor
rtaylor
2 years ago

Did 11 Millbank or Blairs’ higher ups choose her?

7
0
RedhotScot
RedhotScot
2 years ago

WEF Young Leader perchance?

28
0
TheyLiveAndWeLockdown
TheyLiveAndWeLockdown
2 years ago
Reply to  RedhotScot

or perhaps Common Purpose?

11
0
DanClarke
DanClarke
2 years ago

I look at all those running the shows now and say WHY?

20
0
huxleypiggles
huxleypiggles
2 years ago

More than ever it is becoming blatantly obvious that ALL official appointments must have one overriding attribute in abundance – Gross Incompetence.

Promoting anyone with a CV containing time spent in an NHS managerial capacity confirms this.

28
0
Cecil B
Cecil B
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

If they were any good they wouldn’t be working for the NHS

11
0
lorrinet
lorrinet
2 years ago
Reply to  huxleypiggles

Peter Principle

0
0
John
John
2 years ago

From a front line point of view the Vanguard project was a waste of time and money, systems that were working were replaced by systems that didn’t work.

7
0
Annie
Annie
2 years ago

Help! She’s borrowed The Teeth.

13
0
AN other lockdown sceptic
AN other lockdown sceptic
2 years ago
Reply to  Annie

Nice one centurion. That made me chuckle.

2
0
Alex B
Alex B
2 years ago
Reply to  Annie

Yeah, somewhere there’s a poor old horse disconsolately gumming a carrot.

0
0
lutherkehrt@gmail.com
lutherkehrt@gmail.com
2 years ago

I can only think that he fancies her. She has no obvious qualities that make her suitable for the job.

9
0
peyrole
peyrole
2 years ago

Presumable ‘The Queen’ made the appointment. No not ‘that’ Queen, Nut nuts of course, recently promoted ( by herself) from Princess.

7
0
Rick Bradford
Rick Bradford
2 years ago
Reply to  peyrole

Can we hire Cliff Richard to sing ‘Carrie doesn’t live here any more’?

0
0
DevonBlueBoy
DevonBlueBoy
2 years ago
Reply to  peyrole

Exactly so. Appointing a 2 bagger means the dickhead won’t be looking to pork her

0
0
loopDloop
loopDloop
2 years ago

Her dream dinner party guests: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, David Walliams and Nelson Mandela

What a dreary night it was. Walliams of course, wouldn’t shut up, making a complete, well, wally of himself. Clinton acted like she was the queen, same with Barry. Mandela sang a couple of songs later in the night which cheered things up, but by then I had long had enough. Samantha Jones loved it, was gushing over everyone, but other than Walliams, who was lapping it up, none of the others seemed to be that interested.

Last edited 2 years ago by loopDloop
11
0
Cecil B
Cecil B
2 years ago

Sounds like she was up herself at Great Ormand Street

Last edited 2 years ago by Cecil B
7
0
Cecil B
Cecil B
2 years ago

Feck, she doesn’t even know Nelson Mandela is dead

11
0
AN other lockdown sceptic
AN other lockdown sceptic
2 years ago
Reply to  Cecil B

Another cracker, love it!

3
0
Cecil B
Cecil B
2 years ago

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, David Walliams and Nelson Mandela

As long as there no white heterosexual men she gets my vote

1
0
yohodi
yohodi
2 years ago

Why?…Perhaps it’s because she is a WEF or Common purpose hatchling, the decision was made on a world far far away.. and nothing to do with Bozo the pulled backwards through a hedge clown.

7
0
Quartzite shift
Quartzite shift
2 years ago

Q. “Why Has Boris Johnson Appointed an NHS Manager With a Questionable Track Record to the Top of the Civil Service?”
Maybe, she’s a mate of nutnutz?

4
0
Milo
Milo
2 years ago

At risk of being very badly shot down here. But, I looked long and hard at that picture. Are we totally sure it is a woman?

13
0
chris-ds
chris-ds
2 years ago
Reply to  Milo

in 2022 language, yes.

3
0
Milo
Milo
2 years ago
Reply to  chris-ds

Ahhhhhh – geddit.

0
0
iane
iane
2 years ago
Reply to  Milo

Just what I wondered! Perhaps we should ask the fount of all knowledge on such matters – Kneeler!?

4
0
Suziqu
Suziqu
2 years ago
Reply to  Milo

My reaction exactly. I thought the answer to the “Why?” question was going to be along the lines of “diversity and inclusion “ of the trans variety.

1
0
chris-ds
chris-ds
2 years ago

Maybe the civil service and let a Blairite make the decision?

0
0
iane
iane
2 years ago

Is it transgender? Perhaps that explains his/her new job!

5
0
Backlash
Backlash
2 years ago

So he can throw her under a bus when he next cocks something up?

3
0
CovidiotAntiMasker
CovidiotAntiMasker
2 years ago

More of the same, yet another seemingly incomprehensible decision.

1
0
marebobowl
marebobowl
2 years ago

She is the least of our problems.

1
0
RTSC
RTSC
2 years ago

Her appointment is just more evidence that the UK has been cancelled: we now have a National Health Service with a country attached to it.

5
0
SomersetHoops
SomersetHoops
2 years ago

Will it take the naxt election to kick Boris Johnston out. His dishonesty, lies and incompetence no no bounds. Surely the majority of people realise this and at least will not forget it come election time and his party is also guilty for not dealing with him before now.

3
0
Human Resource 19510203
Human Resource 19510203
2 years ago

Definitely a ‘diversity pick’ on at least two counts.

1
0
Cassio
Cassio
2 years ago

Back in 2013 Samantha Jones had a brief spell as chief executive of the West Herts Hospitals. I met her only once, at a public meeting, and was deeply underwhelmed. While she talked the talk well – presenting herself as thoughtful, energetic and focused – what came across, to me at least, was her determination to advance her own career.

It came as no surprise when, within a matter of months, she abandoned all her plans for making West Herts a Foundation Trust hospital in record time (it still isn’t) and moved away to a career-enhancing corporate NHS “change management” role.

Expect her to suck what she can from her association with No 10 and end up as a peer of the realm. Whether she will have done any good to anybody else on the way up remains to be seen.

1
0
Newman20
Newman20
2 years ago

Johnson’s probably enjoying ‘Ugandan relations’ with her!!

0
0

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