Market testing ends for the NHS - First it was local government, now it's the health service. Out goes the hated market testing and in comes the health equivalent of Best Value

Meeting of the waves - As merger fever gripped the UK last week, the government, too, was unveiling its plan for the biggest ever wave of hospital trust alliances. The implications of this latest move to streamline the health service

Ward, Seamus, (1997)

Fighting the old fight - The new government is talking tough on public sector pay awards while the unions are making noises about inflation-busting rises. Seamus Ward looks at how the change to a Labour government does not necessarily mean that the annual pay round will be any more amicable than it was under the Tories

Ward, Seamus, (1997)

Change but no rest - It is hard to keep up with the NHS Executive these days, as it sets about getting the NHS back on its feet. Seamus Ward tracks down its finance director, Colin Reeves, to check on progress

ward, Seamus, (1997)