Bringing you the latest independent views on health and social care from The King's Fund, all of our reports and findings from our projects are available to buy or download.
To order printed copies of our publications, please purchase online or contact publications@kingsfund.org.uk or 020 7307 2568.
The NHS has rarely managed to balance its books exactly; in many years it has overspent, and in some it has carried a surplus. This briefing analyses what is known about the causes of current deficits.
John Appleby analyses new data to reveal how much extra NHS funding is absorbed by higher pay and other cost pressures, and how much is left over for other developments.
A study of patient choice and its effect on five specialist HIV units in London
2 Feb 2006
Ruth Thorlby
Explores the experience of patients and staff in five HIV/AIDS units to assess whether wide-ranging NHS reforms, including patient choice and payment by results, really make services more responsive.
How will primary care be affected by the changing role of primary care trusts and the introduction of both practice-based commissioning and competition between providers?
Early experiences of Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
13 Oct 2005
Richard Lewis, Lisa Hinton
Reveals how one of the first foundation hospitals implemented its governance arrangements, and explores the emerging role of trust members and governors and their relationship with the board of directors.
An assessment of current incentives in the south-east London health economy
29 Sep 2005
Jenny Grant
This paper examines whether incentives are helping or hindering progress. Its findings are based on interviews with health sector representatives in south-east London.
Exploring the impact of health service market reforms
12 Sep 2005
Richard Lewis, Jennifer Dixon
Offers a critical analysis of the introduction of market reforms into the health service, and examines whether these policy developments can meet the core aims of the NHS.
The Labour Party came to power in 1997 promising to 'save' the NHS, but has it achieved its health service priorities? This audit seeks to answer that question.
Considers the case for setting up a new arm's-length NHS agency to improve service provision while freeing up government to consider the broader aspects of health care.
This report explores the trade-offs between equity of access and more patient choice, and opens up debate on how market forces could help shape the new NHS.
Will Anderson, Dominique Florin, Stephen Gillam, Lesley Mountford
Public involvement is at the heart of NHS modernisation, but putting it into practice is a challenge for many practitioners. This publication looks at the potential difficulties and offers solutions.