The Trust decided to publish the report of this study in two parts, since in effect it conveniently divides between what might generally be called issues of policy, and observations which are suitable for a practical guide and handbook which deals with those practical questions concerned with the development of co-operation between public and private hospitals.
The first part is published under the title Health Services Management: Competition and Co-operation, and is concerned with policy. It deals with the nature of co-operation, the alternative ways of developing it, and certain changes which are required to maximise the effect of the resources available in each sector for the improvement of health services in general. It provides basic material for the discussion of long-term policy, an essential stage in policy-making to distinguish the myths from the facts and it is hoped may help dispel many of the confusions which bedevil the public and private mix of health services.
This Handbook is designed as a practical guide for the co-operation desireable between public and private hospitals and it is hoped will be helpful to managers in both the pubic and private sectors.