Abstract:

The paper discusses and demonstrates the effectiveness of marketing research techniques in the specialised area of health and social planning. The prime objective of the research was to gain insight into the health and social needs of a highly specific sector of the population, viz. the physically disabled, and not merely to quantify types of disability. It was undertaken in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, U.K. with the enthusiastic backing of the Bolton Community Health Council (CHC) and with valuable cooperation from professionals in the medical and social services.