THE revelation that £1m intended for county patient care has been diverted to pay off redundant health service pen-pushers has a depressingly familiar ring to it.

No one would seriously argue that they're not entitled to some kind of severance, we hope. The same principle must apply to them as to a tyre-fitter losing his or her job.

But, like many who'll read tonight's Front Page story and raise their eyebrows, we can't work out how the Department of Health can justify using money which should be putting the sick in front of doctors and nurses.

The words chosen by Worcester's Primary Care Group chairman, Dr Richard Whitmore, to describe the move are hard, but it's difficult to disagree with his principle when he says it's criminal.

The Department of Health's explanation is that the £1m can be re-allocated because the reorganisation of health authorities which has prompted the redundancies will also create savings.

What's lacking so far is the confirmation that the £1m will be put back into patient services out of future savings.

Such a declaration is conspicuous by its absence - leaving Dr Whitmore seething at an apparent "sleight of hand".

The recent history of health bureaucracy in Worcestershire is littered with examples of disingenuous behaviour.

So there's nothing in this to suggest that Joe Glovemaker - and his relations around the county - isn't expected to play second fiddle again, and put up with it.

We remain to be convinced otherwise.