1st Edition

Health Policy and Politics

Edited By Alison Hann Copyright 2008
    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    What is the relationship between politics and health policy in the UK? How are the interests of the medical profession, civil society and the state weighed and balanced in the making of health policy? Health Policy and Politics offers a sophisticated critical analysis of policy-making in the National Health Service. The team of contributors comprises established academics who have been actively involved in both research and policy-making in this field. They examine the 'macro' level of policy-making at governmental level, and then consider professional institutional relationships and struggles, and interpersonal decision-making and power relations within small organizations and departments. Unique in the variety of perspectives and topics covered, the volume will be required reading for those teaching and studying on a range of courses in health, social care and public policy, and for health professionals within the NHS.

    Contents: Introduction, Alison Hann; The impact of the European Union on the NHS, Nick Boyd; The politics of NHS deficits and NHS reform, Calum Paton; Analysing health services decentralisation in the UK, Stephen Peckham, Mark Exworthy, Martin Powell and Ian Greener; Modernising health policy making, Arturo Alvarez-Rosete; Consumerism in health policy: where did it come from and how can it work?, Ian Greener; Choice, voice and the structures of accountability in the new NHS, Susan Pickard; Fixing legitimacy? The case of NICE and the National Health Service, Stephen Harrison and Ruth McDonald; Nothing new under the sun? Regimes of public representation in the English National Health Service: past, present and future, Anna Coleman and Stephen Harrison; 2 cheers for public health, Chris Nottingham; Taking the wait off: an examination of policy networks in a case where local policy was formulated and implemented, to reduce protracted waiting for orthopaedic services, M-L. O'Driscoll; Sleepwalking to diversity?, Gillian Olumide; Politics, ethics and evidence: immunisation and public health policy, Alison Hann and Stephen Peckham; Pharmaceutical policy in the UK, Kathryn Jones; The new general practice contract and reform of primary care in the UK, Alison Hann; Index.

    Biography

    Alison Hann is Lecturer in Health Economics and Policy Studies at the School of Health Science, University of Wales, Swansea, UK.

    ’This book is a useful compendium for those wanting to know more about contemporary health policy issues. Each chapter covers a specific topic in an authoritative and accessible way. Alison Hann should be congratulated for bringing together such an array of talented contributors.’ Rob Baggott, De Montfort University, UK '...an informative and thought-provoking little book, more than the sum of its parts, and well worth reading...The authors provide some excellent examples and case studies (particularly related to pharmaceuticals) of how the NHS has improved its policy-making and incrementally become more evidence-based and more inclusive...for teaching staff and postgraduate health science students, it will be a useful addition to the library. Not to mention for public health politicians of all colours.' Australian Journal of Primary Health '...its contributors think hard about concepts in practice...the chapters are short, informative and novel. Even when these versions have been published elsewhere, these versions are shorter and more fun to read than the journal versions. Health Policy and Politics is a good read, it brings the reader up-to-date on diverse topics, floats new ideas and would make an excellent teaching text.' Political Studies Association