Policy in Focus

Our last article in this series looks in detail at Public Health. The government's new public health agenda places great emphasis on health education and empowering individuals to make 'healthy choices'. While this has huge potential health benefits, the NHS has a poor track record in turning rhetoric into reality. Moreover, public health goals are long-term and NHS political priorities are invariably short-term. To find out more, read the full analysis.

Previous 'Policy in Focus' articles

Our first article, The Big Picture sets the scene looking at: the government's case, the patient's perspective, the employer's view, healthcare provision in Europe and across the UK.

The Waiting Game, our second article, looks at what the 18-week waiting target means for physiotherapists. The policy offers opportunities as well as at pitfalls. Read The Waiting Game.

Working with local government considers local government reforms and what the changing relationship between health and local authority services will mean for physiotherapy.

Payment by results is integral to the NHS reforms: introducing patient choice and a quasi-market into the health service can only work if there is a mechanism to reward high-performing providers and penalise those that don't come up to scratch. At what cost to the service though?

Practice - based commissioning looks at the transfer of the commissioning of healthcare services from the primary care trusts in England to GPs. Will the new system be any more effective than the fundholding of the 1990s?

The government is encouraging a range of organisations outside the NHS, including charities and private companies, to provide healthcare. There are benefits to this approach but what happens if a private provider goes bust? Read New providers to find out more about the issues involved.