Research finds the NHS needs more middle management

Middle level managers have a vital role to play as NHS organisations review how they operate in the wake of the Mid-Staffordshire scandal. That is the view of Professor Graeme Currie after extensive research into the role of middle management found that they play a pivotal role in patient safety at hospitals. In recent years there has been significant pressure on the NHS to remove middle level managers in an effort to protect frontline services, but far from being dispensable Professor Currie and Warwick Business School colleague Assistant Professor of Operations Management Nicola Burgess’ research found what they term ‘hybrid middle managers’ to be