Blog | The King's Fund

Working beneath the surface: supporting leadership in complex times

As a newly-appointed co-director of our Top Manager Programme for senior leaders in health and social care, Mandip Randhawa shares her insights into why this type of programme is increasingly necessary and relevant in today’s context.

Shared responsibility for health: troubling language and unmet need

Maybe the shared responsibility framework needs a different framing: one that starts with the acknowledgment that people who have health problems have a rightful expectation that they will be supported at a time of need, says Charlotte Augst.

The Care Quality Commission and improvement: a system-wide issue

How can we maximise the impact of CQC’s regulatory action in health and social care? It takes two at least: CQC, providers and other system partners all need to contribute.

Volunteers in NHS hospitals: developing the infrastructure to support them is a win-win

The role of volunteers in the NHS cannot be overstated, but good management is essential to making sure they provide NHS staff with the support they need.

Tackling HIV stigma in the health service

Dr Tom Beaney, a GP trainee working in The King's Fund policy team, reflects on new data from the Positive Voices survey and considers the stigma that people with HIV face within the health service today.

What does it mean to be healthy?

Alongside our new vision for population health report, Carina Crawford-Khan from Citizens UK explores what it means to be healthy.

Shedding light on service design involving patients and the public

Rich Stockley explains how good patient and public involvement requires a robust and well-designed research process, and not just hoping for the elusive ‘lightbulb moment’.

The pivot: changing our relationship with the health system

The nature of the health challenges we face today mean it is no longer appropriate to continue with our existing systems. We have to step outside the institutions and start in homes, communities and work places where health is created, says Hilary Cottam.

Co-ordinating care for high-cost, high-need patients

Chris Ham considers the care models for patients with complex needs presented at the Commonwealth Fund International Symposium, and argues that clinical teams need time and resources to effectively co-ordinate the care they provide.

Prevention is better than cure – except when it comes to paying for it

The government’s emphasis on prevention is welcome, but resources have not been following the rhetoric. David Buck analyses the latest data on local government public health spending.

(Re-)visions of public health: how have our priorities changed?

Ahead of the launch of our new report, A vision for population health, Lynsey Hawker looks back at the evolution of The King’s Fund’s work on public health.

Round two for STP plans: a fresh start or a dangerous distraction?

A new round of planning for sustainability and transformation partnerships must allow for greater collaboration between key stakeholders to bring about real improvements in population health.

Quality improvement and collaborative working: partnerships across services in East London, Bedfordshire and Luton

Following on from our recent report on the impact of the Care Quality Commission's approach to regulation, Navina Evans, Chief Executive of East London NHS Foundation Trust, writes about their experience of the inspection regime.

Prevention and early action are key to positive, healthy outcomes

The ‘radical shift in approach’ towards preventive care proposed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock would align with the goals of many in the charity sector who have long been promoting prevention and early action. But will he put his money where his mouth is?

Prevention is better than cure – and actions speak louder…

We welcome today’s ‘prevention vision’ from Matt Hancock. But how and when will the words become deeds?

Health inequalities and the NHS

How can our health services help to reduce health inequalities? Victor Adebowale argues that involving communities and working holistically can help, while remembering the founding principles of the NHS.

Mental health funding in the 2018 Autumn Budget: the devil will be in the detail

While the additional funding for mental health services announced in this week’s Budget is welcome, it will take more than money to deliver parity of esteem.

Better value and a better night's sleep: keeping acutely unwell children and adults out of hospital

Mathew Mathai, Consultant Paediatrician at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explains how the concept of a ‘virtual hospital’ and keeping patients out of hospital where possible has helped to improve quality and reduce costs.

What should the NHS long-term plan say about STPs and ICSs?

Is the integration of health and social care moving too fast for the current legal framework? Chris Ham identifies five steps to support the continuing transformation by aligning regulation, policy and practice.

Can generous leadership in the voluntary and community sector support NHS transformation?

Voluntary and community sector leaders are expert collaborators and part of a growing movement demonstrating their willingness to take on the challenge of transformation, says Lisa Weaks.

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.