Lessons for the UK from the US experience
Smyth J D The International Journal of Public Sector Management, (UK), Vol 10 No 1/2 97 Start page: 21 No of pages: 26
Compares competitive tendering practices in the UK and the USA in the procurement of public services, reporting on field research in the USA aimed at identifying: where and how competition is used in the procurement of public services; whether the practice is effective for long-term care; and whether there are any lessons for the UK. 

Rebuilding women’s confidence has been identified as a key task ahead of the
NHS cervical screening programme.
NHS managers are also being advised to improve the status and pay of the
trained staff whose job it is to check smears, after several well-publicised
failures.
The findings come in the report of the Cervical Screening Action Team,
established to strengthen the cervical screening programme after failures at the Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust and elsewhere. 

The Inland Revenue has announced details of ambitious plans to provide a faster and more efficient service to taxpayers - which will cut down paperwork.
As from October 1st this year people will be able to notify their local tax
office of a range of changes to their tax status over the phone - without
having to confirm anything in writing. The ability to make telephone changes
to tax affairs was made possible by the Finance Act 1998.