This new edition of Baggott's engaging and clearly written text provides students with an up to date and concise introduction to all aspects of health care in Britain today. It has been extensively rewritten to take account of the many recent changes and developments in the NHS and in health policy. Including clear explanations of concepts like clinical governance and evidence based health care, it also covers political changes such as the health policies of the Blair administration and the increasing diversity of the NHS as a result of devolution. MARKET 1: Undergraduate students of Health Studies and Nursing taking modules on health policy Postgraduate students of Health and Social Policy MARKET 2: Undergraduate students of Social Policy, Public Policy/Management, Sociology, Politics, and Applied Social Studies taking modules in social policy/health policy Health professionals, managers and policy makers