Example public administration dissertation topic 10:

An examination of a targets-led culture in the National Health Service.

The final report in 2013 by Robert Francis QC, of the Independent Inquiry into Care Provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has revealed a culture of the achievement of targets taking precedence over basic health care in some sections of the NHS. This dissertation examines that report, as well as primary and secondary sources, and evaluates whether the existence of a targets-led culture in the NHS grew from political pressure to diminish waiting times, and how this many be managed in the future (given that such political pressure is unlikely to disappear). Further, it considers whether the spectacular growth of managers in the NHS since 1990 is a significant factor in this culture.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Dopson, S., FitzGerald, L., Ferlie, E., Gabbay, J. and Locock, L. (2002). No magic targets! Changing clinical practice to become more evidence based. Health Care Management Review, 27(3), pp. 35-47.
• House of Commons (2013). Independent inquiry into care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. London: HMSO.
• Pronovost, P. J. and Lilford, R. (2011). A road map for improving the performance of performance measures. Health Affairs, 30(4), pp. 569-573.