Example public health service dissertation topic 4:

From National Health Service to a health service for the nation: Can treatment abroad be justified?

Founded in the immediate aftermath of WWII the NHS has traditionally been seen as a localised service in which patients have been served by their locality. This dissertation questions the on-going appropriateness of this idea by suggesting that treatment abroad (provided that it is paid for by the NHS) not only serves the nation but may also serve the patient better if waiting list times are cut. Against this ideological suggestion there remains, however, a need to balance the needs of relatives and the suggestion that such treatment mechanisms would prohibit them from visiting loved ones who are recovering. Give this personal dynamic it is envisaged that this dissertation will also use primary data collection techniques in the form of interviews with patients, relatives, and staff.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• McHale, J. (2011) ‘Health care, the United Kingdom and the Draft Patients’ Rights Directive: One small step for patient mobility but a huge leap for a reformed NHS?’ Health Care and EU Law, Vol. 2, pp. 241-262.
• Watson, R. (2011) ‘European Parliament agrees rules on cross-border health care’, BMJ, 342: d492.