David Ruffley MP has today released new House of Commons figures which reveal that Suffolk Primary Care Trust's spending on managers and senior managers has increased by 230 percent over the last six years. Over the same period their spending on administrative and clerical staff increase by 100 percent while spending on nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff increased by 58 percent.

2002-03 spend on Managers and Senior Managers £2,425,000

2008-09 spend on Managers and Senior Managers £8,014,000

2002-03 spend on Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Staff £15,159,000

2008-09 spend on Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Staff £23,961,000

2002-03 spend on Admin and Clerical Staff £3,202,000

2008-09 spend on Admin and Clerical Staff £6,406,000

The figures were provided in response to David's questioning of Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services, in the House of Commons.

David said:

'Time and again I have spoken out at the need to see resources reach the frontline of our NHS and yet year upon year more money is poured into red tape, management and administrative work.

'These new House of Commons figures reveal that while spending on frontline staff- nurses, midwives and health visitors- has increased by 58 percent over the last six years, Suffolk PCT's spending on management staff has spiralled by a colossal 230 percent.

'I have the utmost respect for the hard working nurses, doctors and support staff throughout Suffolk's NHS but they must get the resources they need to do their job. At the moment far too much of taxpayers' money never reaches the frontline and is swallowed up by backroom bureaucracy.'