A second strand of analysis relates to the work of the national task force on medical staffing. This review is concerned with preparing a plan for the medical staffing of acute hospitals based on the recommendations of the report of the medical manpower forum in 2001 and the report of the national joint steering group on the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors in 2001. Part of its work is concerned with examining the practical implications of moving to a consultant-delivered hospital system that would dramatically change and improve the quality of service to patients. This is likely to include reference to the future configuration of hospital services – in other words, deciding which hospitals will provide what services in a consultant-provided context.