The Act sought to improve services for people with disabilities by making provision for representation and placing additional duties on local authorities.
The first cases of BSE in cattle were diagnosed in the late 1980s. However, the government told the public there was no evidence that BSE could be transmitted to humans.
Sir Roy Griffiths reported on the development of community care, observing that the lack of progress was down to the lack of leadership and responsibility.
The review produced policy ideas including creation of an internal market and GP fundholding. This formed the basis of the 'Working for patients' white paper.
The white paper proposed significant reforms to the NHS. It introduced a split between the bodies who provided care and those who purchased it, creating an internal market in the NHS.
