Do institutions matter for citizens' health status? Empirical evidence from Italy.

This paper investigates the role of institutional quality in explaining cross-regional variation in population health status in Italy. We first introduce a composite Regional Health Status Indicator summarizing life expectancy, mortality and morbidity data. Then, we study the empirical relationship between this indicator and a set of socioeconomic, health system and institutional controls at the Italian regional level over the period of 2011-2019.

Are austerity measures really distressing? Evidence from Italy.

Since 2007 financial recovery plans have been adopted by some Italian regions to contain the costs of the healthcare sector. It is legitimate to ask whether spending cuts associated with the austerity policy have had any effect on the health of the citizens. We examine the indirect impact of financial recovery plans on a broad set of health indicators, accounting for several dimensions of both physical and psychological diseases.

Where did all the GPs go? Increasing supply and geographical equity in England and Scotland.

Objectives: To examine the effect on geographical equity of increases in the total supply of general practitioners (GPs) and the ending of entry restrictions in 2002 and to explore the factors associated with the distribution of GPs across England.

Methods: Calculation of Gini coefficients to measure geographical equity in GPs per 100,000 population in England and Scotland. Multiple regression of GPs per capita and change in GPs per capita on demographics, morbidity, deprivation and measures of amenity in English Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).

Implementing payment by results in the English NHS: changing incentives and the role of information.

Purpose: This paper draws on economic theory and empirical evidence in order to explore the role of incentives and information in the successful implementation of the new hospital funding system in the NHS.

Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on case studies in two strategic health authorities comprising in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of background statistics and documentation.

Findings: The structure of tariffs under payment-by-results (PbR) provides high-powered incentives for providers to increase activity because they are rewarded for hospital activity, and payments for increases in activity are made at full average cost.

Giving greater financial independence to hospitals--does it make a difference? The case of English NHS Trusts.

In 2003 a new type of provider organisation, the Foundation Trust (FT), was introduced in England, and the best performing NHS hospitals were able to apply for 'Foundation status'. FTs enjoy greater financial flexibility and are subject to less central monitoring and control. The phased introduction of FTs represents an opportunity to examine whether the new financial structures facing FTs have produced any differences in financial performance compared with non-FTs.

A transaction costs analysis of changing contractual relations in the English NHS.

The English National Health Service has replaced locally negotiated block contracting arrangements with a system of national prices to pay for hospital activity. This paper applies a transaction costs approach to quantify and analyse the nature of how contracting costs have changed as a consequence. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from hospitals and Primary Care Trusts, which purchase hospital services.