And those on a pension. And student households.

Possible fraud, certainly incompetence and bad management.

I’ve seen very similar things happen with PFI buildings. Ridiculous contracts signed, off buildings commissioned.

And then not long after the NHS employee ends up working the PFI partner.

With that BBC report there must have been some seriously poor financial budgetary control going on, or a very poor management structure that prevented challenge.

a very poor management structure that prevented challenge.

One thing though because of the procurement rules its often far easier just to extend a procurement (irrelevant of whether it’s good/bad) to save you having to have a whole new procurement – which adds a barrowload of time/money.

But I won’t disagree with your point as I’ve seen it myself at our local NHS and a far too cosy relationship which has ended up with loads of cash going to a supplier.