A 2001 survey of 203 doctors, nurses and midwives who had spent an average of 15 years in the NHS conducted at a teaching hospital in Belfast, showed poor understanding of the government's 'new NHS' agenda. Seventy-nine per cent were unaware that there was a new NHS. Only 44 per cent felt the principles of the new NHS were of any value in clinical practice. Only 51 per cent could name the health secretary. Much work needs to be done to bring home the importance of the government's quality agenda to clinical staff.