ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR PURCHASING - THE VIEWS OF DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC-HEALTH AND HEALTH AUTHORITY CHIEF EXECUTIVES

Since the NHS reforms, health authorities have been purchasing health care and have been advised that public health considerations must info rm all NHS activities, and that the Director of Public Health must be supported by a team of qualified support staff. This survey of directo rs of public health and health authority chief executives in England s hows the skills currently available to support health authority purcha sing, and the perceived importance of this wide range of skills to the purchasing process. Future models of purchasing will need to ensure a ccess by purchasers to public health and multi-disciplinary advice.