Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers National Health Service (NHS) as a political environment. It shows that central premise, moreover, is that, with the demise of strategic planning and organizational coherence, the contemporary NHS in terms of its continuing national identity can only be recognized, and its behaviour truly understood, as a political development. By 1994 'functions' had replaced 'structures' and the Department of Health's organizational chart of the functions in the reformed NHS, reproduced by Professor Ham in his follow-up book very soon became a standard induction and training aid. The book explores the new relationships of power rather than on the roles of apparent authority. It provides a range of experience, both personal and general, to show how decision making in the UK health care system takes place.