Over the last fifty years, British patients have been transformed into consumers. This book considers how and why the figure of the patient-consumer was brought into being, paying particular attention to the role played by patient organisations. Making the patient-consumer explores the development of patient-consumerism from the 1960s to 2010 in relation to seven key areas. Patient autonomy, representation, complaint, rights, information, voice and choice were all central to the making of the patient-consumer. These concepts were used initially by patient organisations, but by the 1990s the government had taken over as the main actor shaping ideas about patient-consumerism. This volume is the first empirical, historical account of a fundamental shift in modern British health policy and practice. The book will be of use to historians, public policy analysts and all those attempting to better understand the nature of contemporary healthcare.

About the Author
Alex Mold is Senior Lecturer in History in the Centre for History in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine


Book Information
ISBN 9780719095313
Author Alex Mold
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publisher Manchester University Press
Weight(grams) 540g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 16mm