Reform's report on NHS reform proposes a reconfiguration of services, away from hospitals and towards community service, in order to improve care and reduce costs

The Daily Telegraph, Nick Bosanquet and Andrew Haldenby

Health Service Journal, Nick Bosanquet

E-Health Insider, Sarah Bruce

Employers' success in delivering health care for their employees has lessons for the NHS and for public health policy in general.

The report proposes that Britain combines its universal healthcare for everyone with the insurance ideas that underpin the global health leaders.

Reform's fourth annual health report argues that while the Government's commitment to NHS reform is right, it is in denial about its progress on the ground.

The report shows that the traditional NHS monopoly reasserted itself in 2006 against the first tentative signs of change. It finds that key reform programmes have been delayed or show disappointing progress.

The report examines the challenges that mental health services face.It argues that choice and competition will allow an efficient redeployment of resources.

The report finds that the billions of pounds being spent on NHS hospitals and other medical units will not provide the service needed to improve standards of care, reduce waiting times and increase productivity.

The report argues that the logical conclusion of the Government's health reform agenda is a significantly smaller and higher quality NHS workforce.

This report reviews the key trends in midwifery and obstetric staffing over the last 30 years and examines how these and national policies have affected the ability of NHS maternity services to respond to choice while at the same time providing a low risk and pleasant environment for mothers, fathers and their babies.