Customers and contractors in the new NHS

Presents the results of a study in the former Yorkshire region to discover the effect of the changes in the NHS on relationships between Community Health Councils (CHCs) and health service authorities. Respondents were asked to comment on how the changes had affected these relationships in six aspects: interaction with the public, accountability, independence, effectiveness, representativeness and prioritization of work. Identifies a number of questions about the relationships which can be grouped under four headings: CHCs’ identity problem; the effect of the greater discretion which health service authorities have in their relationships with CHCs; the balance between independence and co‐operation in these relationships; and the influence of superior bodies on the relationships. Suggests that answers to these questions will help to release the potential of CHCs to contribute to the quality and effectiveness of the NHS, in accordance with the priority given in the reforms to obtaining the views of the public.