British journal of hospital medicine
-
Since the introduction of the NHS internal market, it has been necessary to price health care for contracts and extra contractual referrals. Internal markets, like conventional markets, operate via a pricing mechanism. This article describes the NHS pricing principles and the development of NHS pricing for acute hospital services in the first 5 years of the market.
-
The importance of opportunities to train and work on a flexible basis are emphasized, particularly in the light of current medical staffing shortages in the NHS and the need to use resources effectively. The profile of the medical workforce is very different now compared with 40 years ago, and career pathways must therefore be modified.