Hospitals set to be ranked in national league table with failing managers facing sack in football-style NHS reforms

HOSPITALS will be ranked in a national league table — with failing managers facing the sack in football-style NHS reforms.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting will today vow to tighten the screw on badly performing bosses.

The NHS will be more like the cut-throat Premier League with losing managers facing the chop.

More than 120 NHS trusts in England will be scored on their waiting times, patient care and spending.

Mr Streeting said there will be “zero tolerance for failure” and crisis teams will be sent to turn around low-ranking hospitals.

Research shows health service productivity is down and senior staff are rarely dismissed.

Addressing hospital chief executives at the NHS Providers Conference, Mr Streeting will say: “There will be no more turning a blind eye to failure.

“With the combination of investment and reform, we will turn the NHS around and cut waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks.”

Reforms will also block pay rises for chief executives failing to improve services.

They will cut off financial freedom while giving those at the top more power to spend cash on equipment and tech.

Top managers will be paid extra to work in struggling areas.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said: “NHS leaders welcome accountability — but it is critical that responsibility comes with the support and development.”

But Patricia Marquis, of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “We should not be tolerating poor management but scapegoating trust leaders is not the solution.

“NHS staff must not be pitted against one another.”

Dr Sean Phillips, of the Policy Exchange, added: “A focus on very senior managers alone may mean poor performance at middle-management is missed.”