this commentary on the editorial ‘the politics and analytics of health policy’ by professor calum paton focuses on two issues. first, it points to the unclear links between ideas, ideology, values, and discourse and policy, and warns that discourse is often a poor guide to enacted policy. second, it suggests that realism, particularly ‘programme theory’ are useful tools for health policy analys...

since its establishment in 1948, the history of the national health service (nhs) has been characterized by organisational turbulence and system reform. at the same time, progress in science, medicine and technology throughout the western world have revolutionized the delivery of healthcare. the nhs has become a much loved, if much critiqued, national treasure. it is against this backdrop that ...

background recent british national health service (nhs) reforms, in response to austerity and alleged ‘health tourism,’ could impose additional barriers to healthcare access for non-european economic area (eea) migrants. this study explores policy reform challenges and implications, using excerpts from the perspectives of non-eea migrants and health advocates in london.   methods a qualitative ...

the death of the english national health service (nhs) may be slow in coming but that does not mean that it is not the conservative-led uk government’s desired end state. the government is displaying tactical cunning in achieving its long-term purpose to remould the british state. powell seeks greater clarity amidst the confusion but the lack of clarity is a principal weapon in the government’s...

this commentary explores some of the issues raised by gilbert et al.short communication, morality and markets in the nhs. the increasing role of market mechanisms and the changing types of healthcare providers together with the use of choice and competition to drive improvements in quality in the national health service (nhs), all have important ethical implications. in order for the nhs to con...

this is a commentary on gilbert and colleagues’ (1) paper on morality and markets in the national health service (nhs). morality and values are not ephemeral qualities and universal healthcare is not simply an aspiration; it has to be enshrined in law. the creation of the uk nhs in 1948 was underpinned by core legal duties which required a system of public funding and delivery to follow. the mo...

Despite fiscal stress, public confidence in the National Health Service (NHS) remains strong; privatisation has not hollowed out the service. But if long term challenges are to be overcome, pragmatism not rhetoric should be the guide.

Martin Powell makes the point that the death of the National Health Service (NHS) is constantly asserted without criteria. This article suggests that the NHS is many things, which makes criteria unstable. The alignment of interests in the structure of the NHS enables both overheated rhetoric and political strength, and that pluralization of provision might actually undermine that alignment over...

the paper by gilbert et al. should be on the table of every politician and national health service (nhs) manager in the run up to the general election, when the nhs is at the hustings. they have raised profound moral dilemmas of the internal and external market in their present form, such as the practicalities of distributive justice and the enhancement of autonomy – to which are added the pres...

Martin Powell suggests that the death of the English National Health Service (NHS) has been announced so many times we are at risk of not noticing should it actually happen. He is right. If we ‘cry wolf’ too many times, we risk losing sight of what is important about the NHS and why.