ABSTRACT
Almost everyone in Britain is affected by the NHS. The vast majority are registered with NHS GPs and most use its hospital services. In 1991, the proportion of the population covered by private insurance was about 12 per cent (Office of Health Economics 1993) although this did not always mean they would use private care. All those who are earning contribute to the NHS as taxpayers. So what do people think of the NHS? What opportunities do they have to exercise their voice? How are their individual and collective interests expressed and protected?
