Targets--are they sensible?
Targets are becoming increasingly important in the new NHS for both purchasers and providers. Targets must be meaningful and carefully considered before it becomes sensible or realistic to attempt to achieve them. Choosing an unworkable target no matter how well-intentioned, will not achieve the desired result. This paper discusses the role of targets, comments on targets that are in use and proposes a set of 'Golden Rules' for the selection of targets.