Accountability in the NHS: Implications of the Government's Reform Programme

The Health and Social care Bill sets out a radical series of reforms for the National Health Service in England. We focus on the implications for accountability by comparing and contrasting current accountability arrangements and practices with how they are likely to operate within the reformed NHS. Different types of accountability are defined. Using the typology a close analysis is made of the nature of accountability of providers and commissioners under the proposed arrangements. Areas for concern are identified