The health service is to employ head-hunters to search for new candidates with "board level" potential for executive and non-executive jobs.

A source close to Alan Milburn told today's Telegraph: "We want the best 30-somethings for the NHS, up and coming people, and we don't mind where they come from - universities, supermarkets, industry, the media, other government departments. We are looking for future chief executive material.

"The culture in the NHS is completely different and we will need to give them proper training and mentoring if we are to get best value for money.