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by Michelle Tempest (Editor)
Views from all three main political parties, Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats, about their future vision for the NHS and chapters from top NHS professionals, experts at the forefront of their specialty, assist the reader to penetrate the fog of confusion about how to make future plans for the NHS. The book seeks, by bringing eminent experts together from centrally relevant disciplines with a wide range of perspectives, to set out views clearly and readably; to enable the general reader (whether professional or lay person) to better understand the cardinal questions involved in this NHS debate. The early chapters in the book express the views of leading members from all three main political parties, Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats, to offer constructive comments about what options they see for the future vision of the NHS. The book continues with chapters from top NHS professionals, experts at the forefront of their specialty, who collectively bring centuries of experience. Their wealth of knowledge is unrivalled, admired and invaluable; they are the leading authorities across a broad range of specialties. These chapters discuss how they see the future of their area of expertise, not to apportion blame, but to have a vision, aiming towards improvement. The chapters then proceed to discuss how the NHS is managed, trained, regulated and funded. After explaining how the current funding system works the book progresses onto thinking of alternative and innovative methods of tackling the complex financial issues. The book brings a multidisciplinary, eminent expert team together, with a wide range of perspectives, to set out views clearly and understandably; to enable the general reader (whether lay person or professional) to comprehend better the cardinal questions involved in this NHS debate. It is imperative for every person to be involved in the debate, as it is not just for the 'experts' in the disciplines concerned, but for everyone - doctors, nurses and patients, lawyers and clients, legislators and voters, young and old, - because the debate crosses every age group and every social divide. Each one of us has a right to contribute to the debate, not least because, how we as a society answer the questions raised about the NHS, will ineluctably have a profound effect on the very nature of society as we know it. This book allows views regarding the NHS debate, to be informed rather than ignorant, rational rather than emotional, and to evaluate competing arguments and various ideas. The Future of the NHS enables the reader to take the first step into the most exciting debate of our times.
