For this sixth edition, much of the material has been updated to discuss the changes brought about by the 1997 Labour government, with cogent analysis of The new NHS white paper and particular reference to Primary Care Groups. The authors, all experienced public sector researchers , take a critical but impartial view to discuss the needs and problems of the NHS and what it achieves. This text provides an invaluable source of referenced information and analysis across all areas of health care, for students, managers, professionals and the concerned general reader.