Product Description

This is a passionate analysis of the historical development, current state and potential future shape of the National Health Service by distinguished doctor and author, Julian Tudor Hart. Drawing on many years of clinical experience, Tudor Hart sets out to explore how the NHS might be reconstituted as a humane service for all (rather than a profitable one for the few), and a civilising influence on society as a whole. His starting point is an attack on the creeping commercialisation of the health service - the privatisation of a growing number of spheres, and the application of market economics to procurement, delivery and management. Combining clinical, political and economic arguments, he then proposes his own economic analysis of the NHS, 'derived not from classical theory but from experience of the real health care economy'. The author's aim is to provide 'a big picture' for students, academics, health professionals and NHS users that will inspire them to challenge received wisdoms about how the NHS should develop in the twenty-first century.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #191570 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Review
"To miss this book would be to miss the acquaintance of a remarkable man. Insight and commitment fill every page." --The Lancet

"... [A] coherent alternative to the healthcare agenda promoted by all political parties! ... a short but hugely challenging book."
--Gut 2006, BMJ Group

From the Back Cover
The political economy of health care is a passionate analysis of
the historical development, current state and potential future shape of the
National Health Service (NHS) by distinguished doctor and author, Julian
Tudor Hart.

Drawing on many years of clinical experience, Tudor Hart sets out to
explore how the NHS might be reconstituted as a humane service for all
(rather than a profitable one for the few) and a civilising influence on
society as a whole.

His starting point is an attack on the creeping commercialisation of the
health service - the privatisation of a growing number of spheres and the
application of market economics to procurement, delivery and management.
Combining clinical, political and economic arguments, he then proposes his
own economic analysis of the NHS, 'derived not from classical theory but
from experience of the real health care economy'.

The author's aim is to provide a 'big picture' for students, academics,
health professionals and NHS users that will inspire them to challenge
received wisdoms about how the NHS should develop in the 21st century.

About the Author
Julian Tudor Hart was a GP in the Welsh mining village of Glyncorrwg for 30 years, where his epidemiological research and innovative organisation of community care won him an international reputation. He is the author of hundreds of articles in medical journals and past President of the Socialist Health Association.

Customer Reviews

Do you care about health care?
This is a remarkable book by a remarkable man. In an era when politicians of all parties are cynically destroying the NHS, this book offers a real alternative vision of how people should be treated. Its pretty short and really easy to read for even the most cerebrally challenged of us because of its frequent subheadings and gentle style as it takes you through the arguments. It also has lots of foot notes taken from historic and important works by people who shaped the last 50 years of healthcare in the UK which are as fascinating as can be in their own right never mind the illustration they give to the text. It mixes history and personal experience but never seems petty or pedantic and the personal touch is beautifully vivid and lively. It comes from a left wing perspective but has a vision which is really much broader. Tudor Hart says it is intended for health care professionals. Really thats not right. Any consumer of health care and every politician and policy maker in the UK should read it. Whatever your views, however ideologically biased you may be this book will challenge you to think very hard about what is happening to the NHS, what this means for you and what you can do about it. Read it! I guarantee (I should know, Im a doctor and a man) it will make you stop and think....for quite a long time.

Excellent. An importnet book for this decade
One of the most important works in the area of health economics. It is well researched and the style of writing is very readable. I would recommend it to anyone who is already knowledgeable in this area or a beginner. This book is for everyone to read not just members of the healthcare profession.

It is inevitable that we shall reclaim our Health Care from the Market
As a GP who has spent 30 years in the NHS it was uplifting to read this superb set of essays and their footnotes. Having defended my personal list and just achieved 98% satisfaction from my MORI patient poll it made me realise that my passion for my patients and their care is not wasted. I am exasperated by the Targets and Tick Boxes that have resulted in the degradation of my profession along with Social Workers (remember Baby Peter), Teachers (remember SATS), the Police and others. Not everything can be commodotised according to Thatcherite and Blairite dogma.
As a GP from the Welsh coal mining valleys, with a real sense of history, Tudor-Hart sets out in a beautifully erudite style, how we have been hoodwinked into believing that the Market can solve our Care Needs.
A superb history of the NHS and a source of real hope for the future. Unfortunately it will take some time before the present politically appointed apparatchiks in the NHS hierarchy are swept aside - but they shall surely be. Read this book - it will give you Hope and Inspiration - an excellent antidote to New Labour Hubris!!