An in-depth analysis of the NHS reforms ushered in by UK Coalition Government under the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. Essential reading for those studying the NHS, those who work in it, and those who seek to gain a better understanding of this key public service.

Foreword ~ Rudolf Klein; Section A: Health reforms in context; Evaluating the impact of NHS reforms – policy, process and power ~ Mark Exworthy and Russell Mannion; Orders of change in the ordered changes in the NHS ~ Martin Powell; Section B: National health policy; NHS finances under the Coalition ~ Anita Charlesworth, Adam Roberts and Sarah Lafond; Did NHS productivity increase under the Coalition government? ~ Chris Bojke, Adriana Castelli, Katja Grašič, Daniel Howdon and Andrew Street; The central management of the English NHS ~ Scott Greer, David Rowland and Holly Jarman; An argument lost by both sides? The Parliamentary debate over the 2010 NHS White Paper ~ Ian Greener; UK-wide health policy under the Coalition ~ David Hughes; Section C: Commissioning and service provision; Clinically-led commissioning: past, present and future? ~ Kath Checkland, Anna Coleman, Imelda McDermott and Stephen Peckham; ‘Much ado about nothing?’ Pursuing the ‘holy grail’ of health and social care integration under the Coalition ~ Robin Miller and Jon Glasby; Public health: unchained or shackled? ~ David Hunter; Provider plurality and supply-side reform ~ Rod Sheaff and Pauline Allen; Achieving equity in health service commissioning ~ Martin Wenzl and Elias Mossialos; Section D: Governance; Setting the workers free? Managers in the (once again) reformed NHS ~ Paula Hyde and Mark Exworthy; Health and Wellbeing Boards: the new system stewards? ~ Anna Coleman, Surindar Dhesi and Stephen Peckham; Blowin’ in the wind: The involvement of people who use services and the public in health and social care ~ Karen Newbigging; ‘Ground hog day’: the Coalition government’s quality and safety reforms ~ Martin Powell and Russell Mannion; A view from abroad: a New Zealand perspective on the English NHS health reforms ~ Robin Gauld; Section E: Conclusions; Never again? A retrospective and prospective view of English health reforms ~ Martin Powell and Mark Exworthy.

"An insightful and incisive account of the most controversial health policy reform since the foundation of the NHS. Essential reading." Huw T. O. Davies, University of St Andrews "Provides an excellent and balanced account of the Coalition Government's health reforms including analysis of the reforms through diverse theoretical lenses that makes for an insightful read." Katharina Kieslich, King's College London "A multi-faceted and nuanced account of the health reforms of the UK Coalition Government from some of the leading scholars in the field. This book serves as a pertinent reminder of the challenges and high stakes of health system reform in the age of austerity." Stefanie Ettelt, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The only book to examine in detail the health reforms of the coalition Government; Describes and analyses the health reforms introduced under the coalition government; Experienced editor team and respected contributors.