loobster,
Yes, heard the same comments from NHS acquaintances.
Thankfully, as a soldier, engineer, RAF officer and pilot most of my immediate managers have been close enough to the 'coal face' to know WTF was going on - with one or two notable and disastrous exceptions.
Some administrators are good - but when they're bad they can spoil your whole day.
However - I'll say it again - Never ascribe to malice that which can more easily be explained by stupidity.