Governing the NHS
Alternatives to an independent board
Anna Dixon,
Arturo Alvarez-Rosete
January 2008
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ISBN 978 1 85717 563 9
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84 pages
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£8.50

An independent NHS board has been advocated by a number of commentators, who believe it will reduce both micromanagement and day-to-day political interference in the running of the health service. This paper argues that an independent board would be limited in its ability to achieve these aims. It suggests a number of alternative options to an independent board that build on the increasing operational independence the recent reforms have offered. These options would help secure a better balance between public accountability and local autonomy within a more devolved health care system.