National Health Services of Western Europe : Challenges, Reforms and Future Perspectives

This book draws on research within neo-Weberian and neo-institutionalist perspectives to critically analyse National Health Services (NHSs) in Western Europe. Exploring the challenges posed by neo-liberal policies, it also looks at the impact of the role of the state, the medical profession, the public and the medical–industrial complex in their development. Bringing together a top-line range of expert international contributors, this book includes national studies from three European macro-regions: Britain, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. In the first part, the NHSs of each country considered are examined historically and in a contemporary context in face of emerging challenges – from cost containment to governance. The second part looks across the macro-regions at the influence of the main actors involved in their evolution and sustainability. Comparing and contrasting the NHSs of Western Europe, the book ends with a discussion of future directions. This book makes a vital contribution at a time when health services globally have been under great pressure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is written for academics and advanced students of healthcare, management, public policy, social policy and sociology – in addition to health professionals and policymakers. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents The editors List of contributors Introduction: the National Health Services of Western Europe: a historical-comparative perspective Part I Case studies The British macro-region 1 England 2 Scotland and Wales The Scandinavian macro-region 3 Sweden 4 Denmark 5 Norway The Mediterranean macro-region 6 Italy 7 Spain 8 Portugal 9 Greece Part II Comparative analyses 10 The changing role of the state in a neo-liberal healthcare policy arena 11 The evolution of the medical and health professions in the National Health Services 12 The participation of patients and the public in National Health Services 13 The role of the medical–industrial complex in the National Health Services Conclusion: challenges, reforms and future perspectives Index