Circling the pyramid by camel--via the needle's eye.

The Royal Commission's report on the NHS criticised the lack of central manpower planning advice for the nursing profession as well as dwelling at some length on the difficulties that the hospital career structure poses medical manpower planners. The most damaging disadvantage of the DHSS's approach to the latter issue is, says the Commission, 'that it has not delivered the goods'. Author examines manpower problems as they affect both professions.