National Health Services of Western Europe (Routledge Studies in Health and Social Welfare)

This book draws on research within neo-Weberian and neo-institutionalist perspectives to critically analyse National Health Services (NHSs) in Western Europe. Exploring the challenges posed by neo-liberal policies, it also looks at the impact of the role of the state, the medical profession, the public and the medical–industrial complex in their development.

Bringing together a top-line range of expert international contributors, this book includes national studies from three European macro-regions: Britain, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. In the first part, the NHSs of each country considered are examined historically and in a contemporary context in face of emerging challenges – from cost containment to governance. The second part looks across the macro-regions at the influence of the main actors involved in their evolution and sustainability. Comparing and contrasting the NHSs of Western Europe, the book ends with a discussion of future directions.

This book makes a vital contribution at a time when health services globally have been under great pressure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is written for academics and advanced students of healthcare, management, public policy, social policy and sociology – in addition to health professionals and policymakers.

Guido Giarelli is Professor of Sociology at the Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy.

Mike Saks is Emeritus Professor at the University of Suffolk, UK, where he was previously Research Professor in Health Policy.