Acknowledgement

First, I would like to acknowledge the grace of the Divine Providence who has encouraged me in numerous ways and whose faithfulness is marvellous;

then, I would like to thank many people who have made this thesis possible:

Dr. Sue Dopson, my supervisor, for all her support and encouragement throughout my M.Phil. course;

BAMM, especially Tim, Colette and Dr. Jenny Simpson, who have provided me with much information and support so far in this research on Medical Directors. In the coming months, I am looking forward to continue to work with them to extend the analyses and findings in this thesis to the national Medical Director surveys;

Susan Leigh, and her wonderful family, for her discussions on Medical Directors and for the hospitality of her and her family while I stayed with them on several occasions;

Dr. Chris Bunch, for kindly allowing me and two other M.Phil. students to conduct a case study in the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital;

Professor David Reeves, for the very informative interview that I had with him and for the documents on NHS consultant merit awards which he had made available to me.

Dr. Rosemary Stewart, Debbie, Madhu, Ashish and Jenny for the various bits of knowledge and wisdom which they impart to me during various stages of the thesis;

all the many Medical Directors, doctors, nurses, NHS managers and staff who had taken time out of their busy schedules so that I could ask them lots of questions;

Marshall Scholarship Commission who had provided me with the travel grants for my visits to the various NHS sites and conferences, and who had generously supported my study here in Oxford;

Last but certainly not least, I am forever indebted to the love and caring of my family.