THE INFORMATION SOCIETY AND HEALTH CARE: A SCEPTICAL EXAMINATION OF CHANGE IN THE UK’s NHS

The noted health care commentator Donald Light recently (2001) opined that the on-going reforms to the UK’s national health service (NHS) could produce devolution of power from the ‘organised profession’ and politicians to the wider community. The root of Light’s optimism rests on the emergence of primary care trusts, which he considers to be highly fluid and open bodies, and the development of data systems of clinical excellence. This, Light conjectures, will parallel the diffusion of information generated by the internet, and hence empower the community in participating in decisions relating to rationing, prioritisation and funding in health care.