Why is TALOIA bandied about in clinics and on wards? Who - or what - is DAN? If someone mentioned Practice Based Commissioning or the Standardised Mortality Ratio, would you understand what they meant? Like any specialised area, the NHS generates clouds of terms, acronyms and shorthand vital for those in the know but virtually impenetrable to outsiders or those new to healthcare. New acronyms or the jargon of areas outside their immediate expertise can be utterly baffling even to old hands. This book brings together an up-to-date, clearly explained glossary of specialised terminology and acronyms used at all levels of the NHS, from primary care surgeries to hospital wards, admin departments to executive boardrooms. It is essential reading for workers in the NHS at all levels, including managers, administrators and clinical professionals, and for managers and staff at commercial companies working with the NHS. Specialty registrars and consultants can also find this information, and much more, in The Doctor's Handbook Parts 1 and 2, by the same author. NHS Jargon Explained will also be of interest to campaigners, patient interest groups, researchers and journalists, and patients and their relatives may also find it useful and enlightening! 'There is no more important time than now to have a quick reference guide that enables the greatest number of people to quickly come to terms with the language of the health service. I welcome this book for being both comprehensive and concise'- from the Foreword by Sir Ian Carruthers