Table Of ContentNHS Jargon Explained
NHS Jargon Explained
TONY WHITE
PhD FRCS MB BS AKC
Consultant Otolaryngologist (retired)
Foreword by
SIR IAN CARRUTHERS
Chief Executive
South West Strategic Health Authority
Boca Raton London New York
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First published 2010 by Radcliffe Publishing
Published 2016 by CRC Press
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© 2010 Tony White
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ISBN-13: 978-1-84619-469-6 (pbk)
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Contents
Foreword vi
Preface vii
About the author ix
1 Glossary of NHS terminology 3
2 Useful health-related acronyms 60
Foreword
When it comes to navigating our way around the health service,
those of us working in the NHS are only too well aware of how
we can suddenly become aware of gaps in our knowledge in such
a fast moving environment.
This is a reflection of the constant rigours of change and
improvement. The persistent pace of change has been a challeng-
ing feature of the NHS throughout its 62- year history.
I personally see such resilient fl exibility and determined self-
improvement as one of the greatest strengths of our modern
health service.
As the NHS continues to become more open and transparent
there is no more important time than now to have a quick refer-
ence guide that enables the greatest number of people to quickly
come to terms with the language of the health service.
Our time-p oor culture demands ever faster yet better informa-
tion so I welcome this book for being both comprehensive and
concise, making it the quick guide so many of us need to fully
appreciate the workings of our greatly admired National Health
Service.
Sir Ian Carruthers
Chief Executive
South West Strategic Health Authority
August 2010
Preface
I often meet doctors, nurses and others working in the health
services who express a wish that they had received a broader range
of non-c linical information earlier in their careers. Others who are
committed to continuing professional development seek learning
material that will enable them to handle the wider issues they
confront on a day-t o- day basis, and for which initial education
failed to prepare them. Many trainers can also fi nd it diffi cult
to access a single source that provides material for non-c linical
training. The Doctor’s Handbook was written to address these and
other needs revealed by research. Since publication there has
been positive feedback received from specialist trainees and other
grades of doctors, including many consultants and, surprisingly,
NHS managers.
At the same time there remained other groups where certain
sections of the original Doctor’s Handbook were not required.
The sections likely to appeal to these groups have therefore
been published separately as A Guide to the NHS (to include the
structure and organisation of the NHS, and health-r elated Acts,
Reports, Guidance Notes and Codes of Conduct) and NHS Jargon
Explained (to include the glossary of NHS terms and acronyms).
Both books provide information not only to workers in the NHS
at all levels, but also to managers and staff of commercial com-
panies working with the NHS, and campaigners, patient interest
groups, researchers and journalists who wish to understand it
better.
As time passes further changes in the structure, funding and
governance of the NHS continue and Acts, Reports and acronyms
are added constantly, so with these more compact books the task
of keeping things up to date will be made easier. Where possible,
viii PREFACE
readers are guided to original sources for the latest information
that is often readily available on various websites.
You will fi nd this small book valuable in your current role and
a quick source of useful information and support.
Tony White
August 2010
About the author
Tony White is a retired consultant otolaryngologist appointed
in Bath, where he was clinical director for seven years. He has a
PhD from Bath University with a thesis on ‘The Role of Doctors
in Management’.
Together with John Gatrell he undertook a three- year research
project into the non-c linical development needs of doctors that
resulted in publication of the NHS Training Directorate report,
Medical Student to Medical Director.
He has written several books on medical management and
contributed to and edited several other textbooks as well as writ-
ing numerous papers. He has lectured widely and organised many
workshops on doctors’ management development issues. He was a
member of a number of national advisory committees to develop
doctors’ non- clinical skills and acted as regular tutor on training
courses in various regions.
