This book draws on research within neo-Weberian and neo-institutionalist perspectives to critically analyse National Health Services (NHSs) in Western Europe. Exploring the challenges posed by neo-liberal policies, it also looks at the impact of the role of the state, the medical profession, the public and the medical–industrial complex in their development.

Bringing together a top-line range of expert international contributors, this book includes national studies from three European macro-regions: Britain, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. In the first part, the NHSs of each country considered are examined historically and in a contemporary context in face of emerging challenges – from cost containment to governance. The second part looks across the macro-regions at the influence of the main actors involved in their evolution and sustainability. Comparing and contrasting the NHSs of Western Europe, the book ends with a discussion of future directions.

This book makes a vital contribution at a time when health services globally have been under great pressure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is written for academics and advanced students of healthcare, management, public policy, social policy and sociology – in addition to health professionals and policymakers.