The successful development of decentralised health service management: an evaluation of area health services in New South Wales.

Decentralised provision and management of health services has been regarded by many governments as a means of improving the management of hospitals and health services that have become increasingly expensive, complex and fragmented. There has been no known formal evaluation in Australia of the success or otherwise of health services where such decentralised structures have been put in place. Known as 'area health services', decentralised administration of public hospital and health services were first introduced in Sydney, Australia in 1974. The experience has been evaluated. The outcome appears to be successful in terms of rationalisation, co-ordination and equity, but also because the decentralised health authority embraces responsibility for the health of all members of their community and is not confined to patients who attend hospitals and clinics.