Faith and hope in charity

As the government presses ahead with its plans for NHS reform, there has been growing speculation about the possibility of an increased role for the voluntary sector in the management and delivery of health care. According to one source ( Hinscliff 2002 ), patients' groups are calling for a greater say in running hospitals, arguing that they possess the specialist skills required to ensure that services are patient-centred rather than organised for the convenience of staff. Such proposals are said to be attracting the interest of health secretary Alan Milburn, who is keen to incorporate patients' interests into the heart of the NHS following scandals such as those at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.