Paperback.

This text contributes to the theory and practice of the new management discipline of health purchasing and to an understanding of health purchasing organizations, both public and private. It examines the purpose and methods of health purchasing as a service industry in a rapidly changing market. The book presents practical approaches, concepts and models which have helped purchasing managers and governing board members to tackle key issues. It draws on experience from a variety of sources, including a development programme with seven integrated NHS commissioning agencies, and the author's research into health-market reforms in Europe and the USA. Taking a multidisciplinary perspective, the book also draws on knowledge from public health, health policy, health economics, service management and organization, and organization development. Although concentrating on UK NHS commissioning, this book should also be of use to managers, governing board members, researchers and students in countries outside the UK.