A comprehensive and authoritative introduction to health policy in the United Kingdom, this new edition provides a unique outsider/insider perspective on NHS decision making and the politics of health care: Who decides how resources are allocated? Who benefits from these decisions? And what impact do they have on patients and service users?

The book examines both the macro level of health policy in government and the micro level in the NHS, exploring the role of politicians, civil servants, NHS leaders, doctors, nurses and other stakeholders. An established essential text for students and lecturers, this seventh edition covers the organisation of the NHS, its history and development, and the reforms pursued by successive governments, as well as social care and public health policy. New material includes:

Coverage of the Coalition, Conservative and Labour Governments from 2010 to 2026 and their impact on patient care and health services
Analysis of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the response by the government and the NHS
Fully updated analysis of the impact of devolution in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and within England
Assessment of the achievements of the NHS and prospects for the future drawing on experience in other countries
Lessons about reforming the NHS based on the author's experience of working in health care and government

Drawing from a wide range of literature and research, it reflects the variety of views in the health policy community and gives a balanced and open minded assessment of the future of the NHS.