The Health Debate - (Policy and Politics in the Twenty-First Century) 2nd Edition by David J Hunter (Paperback)

About the Book

This second edition of this best-selling book offers a fresh look at how the British NHS is coping under increased pressures. It offers a critical perspective on concerns and a critique of the market-style changes introduced by the Coalition government between 2010 and 2015.

Book Synopsis

Health care systems everywhere face multiple pressures from changing demography, the rise of non-communicable disease, the growing demand on health services, and limited resources at a time of austerity.

Focusing on the British NHS from a political science perspective, this second edition of this best-selling book offers a fresh look at how it is coping with such pressures. The book explores the complexity of health policy and health services, offering a critical perspective on concerns including integrated care, the return of public health to local government and moves to devolve health services to local level. Crucially, it offers a critique of the market-style changes introduced by the Coalition government between 2010 and 2015.

Students of health care and health policy, policy-makers and public health and health care professionals will find this lively and accessible reassessment of NHS reforms invaluable.

Review Quotes

This book's strength lies in the clarity of the argument and the presentation of evidence within a clear analytic framework." Sociology of Health & Illness

"A thoughtful assessment of recent NHS reforms that is more balanced and insightful than many of those produced by New Labour's critics. " Critical Social Policy

"Read this excellent book to find out where things have gone wrong in the NHS and why." 5 star review by a reader on Amazon.co.uk

"This book is ideal for anyone with an interest in health policy, health systems development and the wider health agenda.... a useful resource for all students of health, health professionals, policy makers and strategy developers." Health Service Journal

About the Author

David Hunter is Professor of Health Policy and Management at Durham University. He has a background in political science, medical sociology and health policy analysis and was previously Professor of Health Policy and Management at Leeds University and Director of the Nuffield Institute for Health. David is a non executive director of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an honorary member of the Faculty of Public Health, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.