BAGGOTT, Rob <br/><br/>
Representing the repressed? Health consumer groups and the national policy process 

 - UK :  Policy Press,  july. 2004 
<br/><br/> Health consumer groups – voluntary organisations representing patients, users and carers – have become increasingly active in the national policy process in recent years. Groups have constructed alliances with each other, and with other interests in the health policy arena. They have developed extensive contacts within the political system and have generated social and political resources valued by government and other stakeholders. Groups have contributed to policy development, particularly where this has matched government agendas. It is suggested that group characteristics, resources, tactics and contacts have had an impact on their influence. These findings are considered in the context of Alford's structural model of healthcare politics