Public-private partnerships in healthcare: the managers' perspective.

The role of the private sector in the provision of publicly funded healthcare services has become the subject of increasing debate and discussion at the heart of the New Labour Government. The present paper reports the findings from an empirical study regarding the attitude of public-sector managers towards public-private partnerships in the healthcare arena. It reveals a growing awareness amongst managers of both the positive and negative consequences of stepping into the market place to purchase services. However, in the context of the ongoing ideological debate within the Government regarding the role of both the private sector and markets within healthcare, public sector managers are unlikely to receive the practical advice that will enable them to reap the benefits of working with the private sector and avoid the pitfalls.