Wise planning

Abstract

PLANNING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART of modern organisations and is integral to the role of a health service manager. The planning activity emerges as a consequence of the need to contain costs, manage health outcomes, and be held accountable for the effective, efficient and equitable provision of health services. Amidst the challenge to operate within the current resource (ie, financial, human and time) capacity there is an imperative to explore and develop innovative service delivery models to meet increased demand and expectations. Therefore, textbooks on the subject of planning in health-related topic areas are a valuable resource in these very challenging times in health care.