In recent years the pace of reform in health policy and the NHS has been relentless. But how are policies formed and implemented? This exciting new book takes a fresh look at the processes and institutions that make health policy. Based on original research, including a series of in-depth interviews with health policy actors, the book: examines the role of various institutions in the formation and implementation of health policy, including central government departments and agencies, Parliament, political parties, pressure groups, the media, the NHS, and local government bodies; considers the impact of devolution on health policy and the role of European and international organisations; features case studies to illustrate how policy has evolved and developed in recent years. Among the key questions raised in the book are: what constitutes health policy? Where does power lie in health policy-making? What aspects of the health policy process have changed in recent years and what features have remained? And, what changes could be made to improve the quality of health policy-making? As with all the books in the Understanding Welfare series, this book has been written particularly with the needs of students in mind. However, it will also be invaluable to policy makers and practitioners in the health policy field.