Health and Exclusion is a pioneering examination of those policies and practices of exclusion currently experienced by health 'customers' in the UK.
Chapters document examples of exclusion in a number of controversial areas, including:
*the impact of poverty on the health of children
*exclusion in maternity care
*exclusion of those with mental health problems
*exclusion of the elderly in health care
*the silenced voice of the patient
*barriers to recruitment and advancement within the health professions.
The authors challenge whether New Labour policies sufficiently address the inequalities in health experienced by some sectors of society. Moreover they suggest that health professionals at times actively contribute to exclusion and suggest strategies and practices to combat marginalisation and resist exclusion.

'This ia a well referenced and up to date textbook which examines the reasons why some groups of people are often excluded from health care provision in the UK. It will chiefly be of use to students of social policy, nursing and other health professions, especially if they have an essay to write.' - Bridget Langstaff, Crucible, October - December 2000

Michael Purdy is Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Sheffield,
David Banks is Senior Lecturer at the School of Health, University of Teesside.