This overview of the NHS Research and Development Programme is written by people who are at the leading edge of its implementation. It integrates the issues of research management and funding with the importance of focusing research on the needs of the customer (the NHS) and the challenges of implementing the findings of research into clinical practice. The experience of the authors extends from developing local research networks to managing a national research programme, reflecting the scope of the NHS strategy and the potential of this book.

A practical guide to the implementation of the new General Medical Services contract and how it will work in practice. Written in an interactive, workbook style, with think boxes, hazard warnings, tips and comment boxes, it addresses the implications, impact and implementation of the New Contract.

This is a timely guide to the implementation of the 2004 GP contract with practical advice based on the author's role as quality negotiator. It uses models of practice to describe how GPs can improve their practices using the contract as a framework for development.

Don't Panic! The Insider's Guide to the New GP Contract represents a concise interpretation and analysis of the GMS Contract from members of the team that negotiated it. It is therefore authoritative and timely; it identifies the important issues and underlying principles of the new GP Contract and how they relate to GPs' performance and numeration. The contents cover patient registration funding the services available in primary care practice management and other key elements of the Contract and also examines the changes that will take place in Information Technology as a result. General practitioners primary care managers and their professional advisers will find this book essential and invaluable reading.

General Practice has never been an easy occupation. In the past there were some clear structures and routes for new GPs to take. You could expect to join a practice and progress through the ranks, growing in seniority and confidence. You might have been informally mentored by one of the older colleagues; learning management and business skills gradually. It is no longer like this. The market has changed, the range of options is wider, and the way through the labyrinth is far from clear. You might find yourself confused and overwhelmed by all the new opportunities, possibilities and prospects. This book helps to clarify uncertainties and guide you towards the right path. It offers ways to formulate strategies when planning your career and maps out the landscape of general practice, enabling you to make, confident and informed decisions about your professional future. Supporting the initiative of First5(R), The New GP's Handbook is highly recommended for newly qualified GPs who will find it answers so many of their questions and helps make the first five years (and beyond) in general practice more understandable, productive and enjoyable. Experienced GPs too, will find the guide invaluable as a current, general overview. General practice is an exciting and rewarding career which provides a host of opportunities for new GPs entering the profession today. Finding the right job, achieving a good work-life balance and developing a culture of lifelong learning are vital not only for the fulfilment of new GPs themselves but for the future of the profession. This book will help you achieve these objectives. Clare J Taylor, in the Foreword

The Evolution Arti?cielle cycle of conferences was originally initiated as a forum for the French-speaking evolutionary computation community. Previous EA m- tings were held in Toulouse (EA’94), Brest (EA’95, LNCS 1063), Nˆ?mes (EA’97, LNCS 1363), Dunkerque (EA’99, LNCS 1829), and ?nally, EA 2001 was hosted by the Universit ́e de Bourgogne in the small town of Le Creusot, in an area of France renowned for its excellent wines. However, the EA conferences have been receiving more and more papers from the international community: this conference can be considered fully internat- nal, with 39submissions from non-francophonic countries on all ?ve continents, out of a total of 68. Out of these 68 papers, only 28 were presented orally (41%) due to the formula of the conference (single session with presentations of 30 minutes) that all participants seem to appreciate a lot. The Organizing Committee wishes to thank the members of the International Program Committee for their hard work (mainly due to the large number of submissions) and for the service they rendered to the community by ensuring the high scienti?c content of the papers presented. Actually, the overall quality of the papers presented was very high and all 28 presentations are included in this volume, grouped in 8 sections which more or less re?ect the organization of the oral session: 1. Invited Paper: P. Bentley gave a great talk on his classi?cation of int- disciplinary collaborations, and showed us some of his work with musicians and biologists.

Covers the development and political dynamics of the NHS from Atlee to Major. Includes case studies