Book Review: The Future of the NHS

The Future of the NHS by Dr Michelle Tempest (xpl Publishing www.xplpublishing.com, 2006)
This is one of special those books that comes along only very occasionally and is truly for everyone to read. It is written by over 40 top health professionals and policy-makers and covers all the big issues facing the NHS. The book starts with chapters from all three political parties (a rare thing in one volume) and is followed by guides to developments in all the main medical disciplines. It then goes on to look at issues such as management and funding of the NHS. Of particular interest to lawyers will be the chapters on the legal issues facing the service. It examines in particular the challenges of clinical negligence cases and what will be the possible effects of the NHS Redress and Compensation Bills. One chapter suggests that the Redress Scheme might be extended to all cases. It also suggests that there should be some immunity for medics in situations of extreme emergency, similar to the immunity barristers used to have in court. The book also looks at some of the employment law issues facing such a large organisation. This provides a really fascinating insight into healthcare provision and issues which affect us all. It is aimed both at professionals and the general public and is a must for anyone wanting to understand some of the issues facing the institution.