ABSTRACT
The NHS Plan (Department of Health, 2000a) was launched in July 2000 as a 10-year programme of radical reform. It argued that, despite many achievements, the health service had failed to keep pace with social changes. Particular areas for improvement concerned the times that patients had to wait for diagnosis and treatment, and unacceptable variations in healthcare standards across the country. The purpose and vision of The NHS Plan was to create a health service designed around the needs of patients. It was produced following extensive consultation with service users and staff, and was publicly endorsed by 25 leading public, patient, and professional stakeholders.
