ABSTRACT

Originally published in 1977, this book explored some of the major problems besetting the Health Service during the second half of the twentieth century. Now, as then, they offer both historical perspective on contemporary difficulties and invite debate about the future development of health services. The main themes are the medical care system and its organisational structures; the managers and the providers of the system, their tasks and responses; the resources available whether financial, human or material; and finally the consumers and their influence upon the overall direction of the system.

chapter 1|13 pages

Promises, Patients and Politics

The Conflicts of the NHS

chapter 2|26 pages

Medical Autonomy

Challenge and Response

chapter 3|20 pages

Access and Efficiency in Medical Care

A Consideration of Accident and Emergency Services

chapter 4|27 pages

Patients

Receivers or Participants?

chapter 5|22 pages

Power, Patients and Pluralism

chapter 8|22 pages

Making Reorganisation Work

Challenges and Dilemmas in the Development of Community Medicine

chapter 9|21 pages

Planning, Uncertainty and Judgement

The Case of Population