Geriatric nursing. Health care reform in Scotland

1. The United Kingdom's private practitioners are awarded a yearly budget by the National Health Service. Within that budget, the practitioners design a practice that fits into this financial constraint. Certain practice guidelines are also dictated by the government. A reform measure, "Working With People," has been introduced to correct flaws in the system. 2. "Working With People" has created a considerable amount of rhetoric and debate. The paper has been enthusiastically supported by independent sector interests and encourages privatization and development of self-governing hospitals. 3. Gerontological nursing education and practice in the United States has much to gain from its colleagues in the UK--and vice versa. There is room for collaboration and consultation from nursing professionals in the United States to avoid the many negatives that have faced the industry there.