Case Studies

Abstract

These case studies are included for two main purposes. The first is to give some insight into the process of dealing with change in the NHS in the mid-1990s. They are directly derived from actual cases and thus have some historical significance. Both are also pointers to the future in terms of potential problems. It is hoped that they will provide a clearer picture of issues discussed in the text. The second purpose is to provide a teaching device. Each case could be used for group work, with groups reporting back on what they consider to be the main issues. Similarly, they can be used for role-play. Students could be divided into management and union teams and be asked to meet to negotiate the issues. As negotiating exercises, they are open-ended: there is no obvious outcome. In real life such scenarios will be resolved in accordance with the power and determination of the parties. As classroom exercises, they could run from a minimum of three hours to several days. Tutors have to be clear about their teaching objectives.