Governing the New NHS makes sense of the new systems and will enable anyone interested in healthcare governance to navigate their way confidently through the confusion. It describes, assesses and critiques the new governance arrangements. It examines how they are working in practice, reporting on how practitioners are making sense of, and responding to, the difficulties and paradoxes that arise. The book:

<LI>Explains current governance arrangements and explores related issues and tensions – such as those between the devolved countries, and primary and secondary care trusts

<LI>Discusses the roles and interrelationships of boards and effective board practice

<LI>Debates the nature of effective governance and how to do it well

<LI>Looks at how to ensure seamless governance and service provision in a fragmented NHS – avoiding gaps and problems between different health service providers.

The authors draw on survey data from primary and secondary trusts across England and detailed case study data from primary care, acute and mental health trusts. Each chapter is supplemented with contributions written by leading practitioners in the health system, which are then commented on and put into context by the authors. This practical book will be invaluable to all those interested in health governance, whether academic, student or practitioner.