Finding the holy grail which will deliver high quality care at lower cost is every NHS manager's dream, especially during times of severe resource constraint and intense competition. Reorganising units to provide 'patient-focused care' can, it has been claimed, make them simpler and slimmer, cutting costs and wasted time, while increasing patient and staff satisfaction. How is patient-focused care being implemented in the NHS, and how successful has it proved so far? Could it help your unit? This Health Management Guide looks at how patient-focused care originated and how it works, exploring a number of sites where it is in use, and identifying key points to consider before adopting a 'patient-focused' approach.