Decentralisation, centralisation and devolution in publicly funded health services: decentralisation as an organisational model for health-care in England.

This review examines the nature and application of decentralisation as an organisational model for health care in England. The study reviews the relevant theoretical literature from a range of disciplines relating to different public- and private-sector contexts of decentralisation and centralisation. It examines empirical evidence about decentralisation and centralisation in public and private organisations and explores the relationship between decentralisation and different incentive structures, which, in turn affect organisational performance.