New Labour’s State of Health: Political Economy, Public Policy And the NHS

In this timely and unique work, Calum Paton assesses the political economy and politics of current health policy in order to explain the underlying causes of problems in the National Health Service. Debates from political theory, political economy and public administration are used to examine health policy made and implemented by New Labour since their election victory in 1997. The author argues that the fundamental nature of health policy is dependent upon the prevailing regime in political economy and also that 'policy overload', contradictions and confusion have rendered the task of coherent implementation very difficult. Although there is implicit comparison, the primary focus is England within the UK (post-devolution), and the book provides a detailed examination of contemporary health policy. Written by an established scholar in the field, it will particularly interest academics, post-graduate students and professionals in health policy, social policy and politics.

Calum Paton is a political theorist and policy analyst who has specialized in health policy for more than twenty years. He has published widely in politics and health policy, including evaluations of health reform in the UK, Europe and the USA. He is Editor of the International Journal of Health Planning and Management and was Chairman of one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts from 2000 to 2005.