News analysis: Casualties of contracting - The state of NHS finances may not be an accident, but, according to health service managers, it is definitely an emergency. Seamus Ward and Steve Brown report on this year's difficult contracting round

The good the bad and the ugly - The council performance indicators for 1995-96 show overall improvements in many vital sectors. Steve Brown and Seamus Ward look at how councils measured up financially

Brown, Steve, (1997)

Another NHS casualty - Sir Nigel Crisp fell on his sword. But was he responsible for the growing problems in the health service?

Ward, Seamus, (2006)

Smooth operators - If this financial year was tough for NHS trusts, the next 12 months should be hellish. They will have to move from deficit to surplus, become more efficient, cope with reorganisation and extended payment by results, and compete for patients

Ward, Seamus, (2006)