Deborah Fenney

Position: Researcher
Teams: Policy

Deborah works in the policy team. Before joining the Fund in 2018, Deborah worked for two years as a senior analyst at the Care Quality Commission (CQC). While at CQC she worked on various projects including reviews of health and social care systems in local authority areas and a review of how NHS trusts investigate deaths of patients.

Deborah has a PhD in sociology and social policy from the University of Leeds, which explored disabled people’s access to sustainable lifestyles.

Commissioned report

Shaping the future of digital technology in health and social care

This report provides a summary of evidence for how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, smartphones, wearable devices and the internet of things are being used within care settings around the world.

The role of trauma-informed care during the Covid-19 pandemic

Deborah Fenney looks at how health and care professionals have been using trauma-informed approaches to create safe environments and support for people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than health care: why the NHS is a force for tackling poverty

There is potential for the NHS to have a greater and more wide-ranging role in tackling poverty. Our new report draws on perspectives from across a range of sectors to consider the steps the NHS can take to achieve this.

Commissioned report

The NHS’s role in tackling poverty

Poverty affects one-fifth of the UK population. Our commissioned report explores how the NHS can maximise its contribution to tackling poverty, within its resources and with its partners.

Collaboration, respect and humility: directors of public health responding locally to Covid-19

How have directors of public health been involved in the local response to the Covid-19 pandemic? Deborah Fenney and Clair Thorstensen-Woll outline some of the ways they’ve worked with wider system colleagues to support local communities.

Emotion, labour and the risks of speaking out: diversity and inclusion within The King’s Fund

Kiran Chauhan and Deborah Fenney share the findings of a collaborative research project into The King’s Fund’s own work on diversity and inclusion over the past decade.

Responding to Covid-19: what challenges are health and care leaders facing?

Deborah Fenney and Lillie Wenzel reflect on what heath and care leaders have told The King’s Fund about the challenges they are currently facing and outline how we’re using this to shape our Leading through Covid-19 resources.

Delivering health and care for people who sleep rough: going above and beyond

Delivering health and care for people who sleep rough: going above and beyond

People who sleep rough have some of the worst health outcomes in England. We explore how four local areas are delivering effective health and care services to people sleeping rough and what other areas might be able to learn from them.

Tackling poor health outcomes: the role of trauma-informed care

People who have experienced trauma face a number of barriers to accessing health care. Deborah Fenney explains why a trauma-informed approach is essential for supporting a group that currently face poor health outcomes.

A lav affair: do we care enough about public toilets?

With spending on public toilets declining over the past decade, Deborah Fenney explores the impact this can have on individuals and why this lack of facilities matters for health care.