The King's Fund blog: health policy, NHS leadership, health and social care

Great expectations: the changing nature of the public’s relationship with the NHS

What are the biggest issues and priorities for the NHS, and what do people expect from our health care system in the 21st century? As we start a new research project, Beth Adams reflects on the insights we’ve had so far.

Improving patient experience through design: The King's Fund in the 1960s

Nicholas Willsher looks at the Fund’s work in the late 1950s and early 1960s on improving patient experience and how the Fund developed its approach to design.

Political consensus needed to ensure the future of health and social care

In July, Chris Ham joined Sarah Wollaston MP to give the Speaker’s lecture on the future of the NHS in the House of Commons. Here, he summarises his contribution, detailing what needs to be done to secure a sustainable health and social care system.

Reducing inequalities in health: towards a brave old world?

David Buck looks at what recent research and data can tell us about progress on tackling health inequalities, and argues that when planning for the future we should look to the past.

Leadership in the independent sector

How can leaders drive quality improvement in independent hospitals? Alex Baylis and Deborah Homa look at the challenges.

Welcome to our new website: what’s changed

If you’re reading this then you’re looking at the latest incarnation of www.kingsfund.org.uk. We’ve spent the past 12 months speaking to website users, designing and testing concepts, building this website and transferring more than 5,000 pages from our old site to this one. I hope you like it.

When it comes to public sector pay, caveat emptor

Siva Anandaciva suggests that while ending the public sector pay cap may mean a fairer wage for NHS staff, it won’t be enough on its own to solve the health sector’s workforce challenges.

Specialist major trauma networks and terrorist events: to care for many, care for one

Since its establishment in 2010, the London Trauma System has improved access to specialist trauma care, improved quality of care, and more than halved the mortality of severely injured patients. Reflecting on the 2017 terror attacks, trauma surgeon Karim Brohi highlights the difference it has made.

Patient experience of GP surgeries: it’s getting in that’s the problem

It's rare that any service hears from 800,000 of its users at the same time, but that is what happened recently with the publication of the GP Patient Survey. Dan Wellings and Beccy Baird review the results.

Why we shouldn't panic about nursing students... yet

With a shortage of qualified nurses in England already a cause for concern, David Maguire considers whether the decision to scrap the NHS bursary scheme is likely to exacerbate the problem.

Realising the potential of allied health professions

In this guest blog, speech and language therapist Joanne Fillingham makes the case for a stronger leadership role for allied health professionals (AHPs).

Quality improvement in mental health: a commitment to long-term change

Quality improvement is not a quick fix, and creating the type of cultural change needed to adapt an organisation's whole approach to quality does take time, says Shilpa Ross.

The NHS financial regime: cleverly flexible or horribly messy?

The NHS payments and incentives system is constantly evolving. Richard Murray looks at a system that is attempting to manage deficits and, at the same time, introduce new models of care and ways to pay for them.

Chickens coming home to roost: local government public health budgets for 2017/18

With the central government grant falling, David Buck takes a look at local authorities' plans for public health spending in 2017/18.

Shared data paves the way for creating accountable care systems

Harry Evans considers why getting the technology right will be essential if accountable care systems are to succeed.

Why aren’t we realising our ambitions for children’s health?

Jill Roberts looks at the challenges facing children’s health, and asks what needs to be done to improve the current situation.

New horizons: the birth of the NHS and the changing role of The King's Fund

In the latest of a series of blogs celebrating The King’s Fund’s 120th anniversary, Lynsey Hawker explores how the birth of the NHS created new opportunities for the Fund.

Health and social care after the election: what issues still need attention?

The political tumult of recent weeks seems to be subsiding and a second snap election appears less likely – for now. Leo Ewbank asks what the new political environment might mean for health and social care.

Will the capped expenditure process help keep a lid on NHS finances?

Siva Anandaciva asks whether the capped expenditure process is an attempt at a short-term fix for a long-term problem.

Championing quality and seizing improvement opportunities: are we getting it right?

Durka Dougall argues that improving quality of care for patients and delivering better value care are often two sides of the same coin.