The only constant is change

Abstract

A COLLECTION OF FIVE contributions on health policy and system infrastructure from three countries opens this issue. Toni Ashton continues her thinking about the changes that make a real difference in New Zealand with an analysis of what she sees as significant opportunities for primary health care (page 380). Jonathan Shapiro discusses the problems that may arise in the implementation of the ?contestability and choice? open market agendas in the United Kingdom (page 383). Raisa Deber challenges current orthodoxies in Australian health policy (particularly the use of competition principles) from her Canadian perspective (page 386). As the term of the inaugural Australian Council on Safety and Quality in Health Care draws to a close, its chair, Bruce Barraclough, reviews the Council?s achievements and the work that is not yet done (page 392). Linda Mundy and colleagues report on a new initiative in this country?s continuing effort to manage the introduction of emerging health technology (page 395).