News

A guide to the Newspeak

Confused about the purchaser/provider split? Needs assessment? Service specifications? The Medical Campaign Project has produced a guide to NHS-speak for people working outside the health service.

The most obvious change brought about by the NHS and Community Care Act is the introduction of a whole new language for plannning (sorry, commissioning) health services. NHS managers may have learned this jargon-ridden dialect but to many people it is simply confusing. It is all very well talking about involving users in ‘purchasing activities’, but one of the first questions likely to be asked is: ‘What is a purchaser?’

The purpose of the guide is to explain how the system works and to encourage voluntary organisations to look at how they can be involved in setting priorities and policies for health services. The Medical Campaign Project works for improved access to health and social care for single homeless peole, so the guide is aimed specifically at homelessness agencies. But it is hoped it will be relevant to a much wider audience.

Understanding health services: a guide to the recent changes in the organisation of health services for voluntary organisations. Medical Campaign Project, The Print House, 18 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL. Tel: 071-249-2560.