BMJ  2005;331 (19 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7526.0-d

UK patients want fast access to good care

In light of the UK government's recently stated intention to include the public in shaping the future of the health service, Coulter (p 1199) examines the evidence on what patients and the public want. Patients care more about the quality of their interaction with doctors than about how the service is structured, she argues. Patients want fast access to good care, partnership rather than paternalism, and equitable care that is free at the point of use. Organising a healthcare system that will achieve these goals lies in the court of policy makers, however.

Credit: ANTONIA REEVE/SPL

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