WOMEN ON BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE Available to Purchase

New style health authorities and trust boards have a lower percentage of women members/directors than pre‐reform. This is attributable to recruitment procedures, selection criteria, those excluded and the inclusion of executives. The NHS is also seeking to implement Opportunity 2000 to improve the opportunities for women. Changes in the culture required by the introduction of private sector structures and values are not necessarily compatible with those required for equal opportunities. The research shows that women have as important a contribution to make at board level as men. Differences in background and attitudes serve to broaden the base of experience and expertise. A key question is how to increase the numbers of women executive directors/members, to increase their influence over organizational policies. The adoption of private sector values for the public sector can be questioned; with equal opportunities, private sector organizations may learn from the public sector.