Planning health services--demand or need?

This paper discusses the currently popular approach to planning health services which is based on demand predictions. From a consideration of the demand concept, the problems of measuring present demand and forecasting future demand, it is concluded that this approach to planning will not provide health care which serves the best interest of patients, or achieves an overall efficient use of scarce resources. The development of an approach which is based on need rather than demand is seen as compatible with providing health services in the best interests of the individual as patient, and the community as tax payers.