Governing Medicine Theory and Practice

New Labour's institution of clinical governance and its associated NHS organisations is an unprecedented attempt on the part of government to manage health professionals, especially doctors. This book discusses both the theory and the practice of clinical governance, and considers the theoretical, social and historical background to explore some of the assumptions behind it. Divided into three parts, the book contains sections on Medical Autonomy and Governance, Evidence, Science and Medicine, and Realising Clinical Governance. Written by a team of experienced academics, this book is aimed at reflective health professionals, as well as students and academics in the fields of health policy, health services management, social policy and public policy.