The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, presented an ambitious blueprint for the transformation of the way the NHS delivers health care. The backdrop to the Plan is the substantial increase in resources for the NHS promised for the next 5 years. At the heart of the Plan is the aim of ensuring...

This paper examines the role of information in securing control of health care systems. The discussion focuses on the impact of the proposed 'Performance Framework', which entails a significant increase in the importance attached to formal performance indicators in the management of the UK...

The government’s health reform programme since 2000 has covered many aspects of the organisation of health care and was accompanied by a sizeable increase in spending on healthcare. Many of these reforms have the potential to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the health care system...

The provision of quantitative information has been given a key role in securing good performance in the new NHS. A new National Performance Framework has been proposed encompassing a number of dimensions of performance. Whilst this approach to managing the NHS is welcomed, it is essential to...

The election of the Labour government last year shifted the issue of inequality in health to the top of the policy agenda. In its White Paper on the “New NHS”, promises were made about reducing unacceptable variations in services and ensuring fair access. Publication of the Green Paper...

The use of casemix-based funding mechanisms is increasing internationally. This funding approach potentially offers incentives for a range of diverse objectives, including improvements in efficiency, quality of care and patient choice. However, to date, the application of this approach to mental...

The optical services market has been altered substantially by government legislation over the past six years. Further deregulation has been proposed which would alter the content and structure of the eye test, resulting in a two-tier test. This would split the refractive sight test, aimed at...

A composite indicator is an aggregated index comprising individual performance indicators. Composite indicators integrate a large amount of information in a format that is easily understood and are therefore a valuable tool for conveying a summary assessment of performance in priority areas....

The use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has received much attention both in the medical and lay press in recent years. There is considerable pressure to extend the use of HRT both as a method for relieving the distressing symptoms of menopause and also as a prophylactic...

Radiotherapy is used extensively in the treatment of many cancers. It is often used alone as the primary therapy, or in conjunction with other forms of treatment such as surgery and chemotherapy, both on a curative and palliative basis. In many instances, there are choices to be made between...