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...