NHS ‘wasting cash’ by telling hospitals to change logos

NHS England has been accused of wasting resources by ordering overstretched hospitals to alter their logos.

‘Identity managers’ said the iconic blue NHS emblem should sit above the name of each trust, rather than beside it, on signs and in correspondence.

The demand is the result of a two-year review of the health service logo, designed to reduce ‘confusion and concern’ for the public. Health bosses believe a lack of consistency leads some patients to inappropriately attend A&E.

But yesterday critics slated the move, which came after 1,000 interviews and 28 public workshops, at the time of the biggest financial crisis in NHS history.

Tory MP Peter Bone said it was an indication the NHS priorities had gone ‘completely wayward’. He said: ‘Redesigning logos is the last thing they should be thinking about. Surely they should be putting this money into care.’

Trusts have been told to make changes to online publications by the NHS identity team, which employs two staff on salaries between £40,000 and £69,000. Printed or permanent signs are to be amended when convenient.

Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Commons health select committee, said: ‘How much is this going to waste, not just in money but staff time?’

The redesign, which NHS England says will only cost £23 per trust, has been condemned by charities. Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association said: ‘This is not what patients care about. Patients want good safe care and we simply cannot afford or justify wasting time tinkering around with this sort of nonsense.’