1. A Strategic Approach to Planning for General Practice 2. Action Planning and the Management of Change 3. Information for Planning 4. Business Planning and Human Resource Management 5. Audit as a Component of Planning 6. Planning for a Patient-centred Practice 7. Planning for Service Developments 8. Planning for Fundholding Status 9. Health Planning 10. A Structure for Business and Health Plans

For GPs and practice managers the challenge of the NHS reforms is to understand the business context in which general practice operates. Of the many skills learned from commerce and industry needed for the development of an effective strategy, business planning has been demonstrated to bring important benefits to the practice. However, for many the concept is necessary but unfamiliar. This book sets out to demystify the subject, explains the benefits and, by way of numerous examples, shows how they can be applied to the single-handed GP and group practices, whether or not they are fundholders. It suggests that good clinical care is not possible without the necessary planning and management skills to run a business.