The White Paper and Beyond

The "White Paper and Beyond" presents a debate between expert speakers and their professional audience concerning major developments which have occured within the NHS, related to the Government's white Papers; "Working for Patients" and "Caring for People". A large number of prominent health care professionals have contributed to the book, including managers, clinicians, public health physicians and social scientists, all of whom are experts in their field. These proceedings are based on a conference which consisted of three sessions, each of which was followed by extensive discussion. The first chapters cover needs assessment, the role of medical audit and resource management, and the commissioning process. The second section addresses the issues of funding within the NHS, the purchaser-provider split and developing the purchaser role, and how optimal treatment will be ensured for those chronic illnesses or disabilities, minimizing the development of a two-tier system.
The final section focuses on contemporary and future medical manpower requirements, medical education and research as well as the changing relationship between clinicians, management and managers with the Health Serivce. Many of the issues covered will continue to dominate the development of the NHS in the 1990's and as such this book provides the timely appraisal of necessary or anticipated developments within the NHS during the final decade of the 20th century.