Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the findings arising from a three year research project which investigated a major system-wide change in the design of the NHS in England. The radical policy change was enshrined in statute in 2012 and it dismantled existing health authorities in...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine critically the concept of “leadership transmission”, considering what theoretical and practical value this metaphor brings to the healthcare modernization agenda. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops understanding of the...

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to advance critical debate in relation to a very critical issue in current healthcare management – namely “patient safety”. This is currently a very high profile issue. In its various guises such as clinical governance, integrated governance and...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the various ways in which clinical executive directors and non‐clinical executive directors are interpreting and responding to the extensive reforms and restructuring in the UK health service. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws...

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the theoretical and practical management implications of a case involving the falsification of hospital patient waiting lists for elective orthopaedic surgery. Design/methodology/approach – This case study is based on qualitative schedule‐structured...

Purpose – The article seeks to explore the practical and theoretical implications of the ways in which senior figures in the National Health Service (NHS) interpret the role of the centre in relation to the delivery units of the health service. This is important in the light of recent plans...

Purpose – In the light of public concern and of strong policy emphasis on quality and safety in the nursing care of patients in hospital settings, this paper aims to focus on the factors affecting the adoption of innovative quality assurance technologies. Design/methodology/approach – Two...