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.
Amid increasing independent and voluntary sector involvement in NHS service delivery this report highlights issues that the government and health service providers in all three sectors should address.
This briefing describes the main points contained in the 2006/7 Operating Framework and provides some commentary about what the document implies for the competing strands of NHS reform.
Drawing on evidence from five acute NHS trusts, this paper assesses the impact of the new consultant contract in England and asks whether reforms will translate into benefits for patients.
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.
Is there a future for mutually-owned organisations in community and primary care?
20 Apr 2006
Richard Lewis, Peter Hunt, David Carson
Explores how social enterprises, particularly those with a 'mutual' structure, could add value to the provision of primary and community care and practice-based commissioning, and suggests how this system could be implemented.
How much should be spent on social care for older people over the next 20 years, and what funding arrangements are needed? Our report sets out the findings of the Wanless Social Care Review.
Black and minority ethnic non-executive directors in London
28 Mar 2006
Eleanor Stanley
Examines the current situation and experiences of NEDs from BME communities in London's NHS trusts and health authorities, and asks what is required to sustain this BME representation.
How effective is the NHS in providing accessible health care for all Britons, regardless of their ethnic or religious background? This briefing sets out the background to some of the issues.
This government has significantly increased investment in the NHS; if pressure to spend more continues, how can we judge the health benefits of this extra spending?
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.
Financial instability is just one reason for failure in the NHS. This paper explores how failure can be prevented or managed, while protecting the quality of patient care and restoring viability.
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?
How can hospitals manage food procurement sustainably and promote healthy eating? Includes a framework for assessing procurement and catering practices and offers recommendations for policies, menu designs and contract specifications.
This report presents the key findings and emerging policy implications from ten focus groups that explored public views about choice in health and health care.
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.
What actions can governments take to influence individual and collective behaviour to reduce health risks, and how does state intervention impact on public health?
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.
