This updated version of a popular text covers all major aspects of contemporary health care in Britain. It provides a concise guide to recent trends in health and health services, identifies the main problems and challenges facing the health care system today, and analyses the responses of policy makers. Lively, readable and illustrated throughout with appropriate tables, figures, and exhibits, the book provides both an information account for the introductory student and a thoughtful commentary for those more familiar with the health care system.