ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that comparative studies on healthcare systems offer a useful guide for evaluating different service offerings and outcomes. It discusses the basic characteristics of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands healthcare systems. The chapter considers the policies and plans to develop ICT to enhance the healthcare systems in each country. It offers some insights into the potential opportunities and threats to information, communication and technology (ICT) development, particularly in the context of offering a national healthcare system in conjunction with increasing commercialisation of the sector. In the Netherlands, three approaches to healthcare reform have been adopted in the past few decades: ensuring universal coverage, controlling costs and creating competition. Healthcare is an information-rich business which consumes vast hospital resources in gathering information. The chapter also considers the important and critical roles played by government, despite some of the political, economic, social and technical differences between the UK and Dutch healthcare systems.
