this commentary on the editorial ‘the politics and analytics of health policy’ by professor calum paton focuses on two issues. first, it points to the unclear links between ideas, ideology, values, and discourse and policy, and warns that discourse is often a poor guide to enacted policy. second, it suggests that realism, particularly ‘programme theory’ are useful tools for health policy analys...

the death of the english national health service (nhs) has been pronounced many times over the years, but the time and cause of death and the murder weapon remains to be fully established. this article reviews some of these claims, and asks for clearer criteria and evidence to be presented.

martin powell suggests that the death of the english national health service (nhs) has been announced so many times we are at risk of not noticing should it actually happen. he is right. if we ‘cry wolf’ too many times, we risk losing sight of what is important about the nhs and why.

despite fiscal stress, public confidence in the national health service (nhs) remains strong; privatisation has not hollowed out the service. but if long term challenges are to be overcome, pragmatism not rhetoric should be the guide.

the article takes its cue from models of quantitative research applied to complementary/alternative medicine (cam) and pinpoints some innovative features in the case at issue (portugal). it goes on to outline new research scenarios moving beyond the either biomedical or cam framework.

The death of the English National Health Service (NHS) may be slow in coming but that does not mean that it is not the Conservative-led UK government’s desired end state. The government is displaying tactical cunning in achieving its long-term purpose to remould the British state. Powell seeks greater clarity amidst the confusion but the lack of clarity is a principal weapon in the government’s...

martin powell makes the point that the death of the national health service (nhs) is constantly asserted without criteria. this article suggests that the nhs is many things, which makes criteria unstable. the alignment of interests in the structure of the nhs enables both overheated rhetoric and political strength, and that pluralization of provision might actually undermine that alignment over...

since its establishment in 1948, the history of the national health service (nhs) has been characterized by organisational turbulence and system reform. at the same time, progress in science, medicine and technology throughout the western world have revolutionized the delivery of healthcare. the nhs has become a much loved, if much critiqued, national treasure. it is against this backdrop that ...