The book provides a comprehensive analysis of hospital services in the United Kingdom, and examines the key factors which should be taken into account by those responsible for planning this part of the health system. It traces the changes that have taken place in recent years and, drawing on unpublished ...
The paper summarises recent literature giving an economic perspective on acute hospitals. The issues discussed include: the optimal size of a hospital; the role of the hospital in relation to other suppliers; cost containment and productivity; and the scope for cost reduction.