Blog | The King's Fund

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.

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.

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.

Developing governance to support integrated care: a bumpy ride?

One year on from the introduction of integrated care systems in England, we know that their success depends on local factors. Matthew Kershaw identifies three further key issues that offer wider learning on governance.

CQC, the state of care and system-level regulation

CQC must ensure it creates a mix of regulatory tools that work together to efficiently assure people’s overall experience of care, rather than simply adding a layer of regulation to a health and care system that is already one of the most heavily regulated in the world.

Initiating improvement: the impact of the Care Quality Commission’s approach to inspection

In light of the recent National Audit Office report, Rachael Smithson considers the Care Quality Commission’s approach and the ways in which the organisation is having an impact on quality of care.

A system response to provider failure: does Greater Manchester point to a different future?

Should we start to look at provider failure as a system issue rather than an organisational one? Chris Ham looks at the lessons the NHS can learn from Greater Manchester.

Streamlining the organisation of the NHS without a top-down reorganisation

Chris Ham makes the case for aligning the work of NHS Improvement and NHS England.

Tearing up the rulebook: legislation and new care models

Ben Collins reflects on the reintroduction of top-down control of the NHS and system-wide planning, despite legislation that aimed to establish a very different type of health system. How far can this go before the wheels fall off?

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.

Sending shockwaves through the NHS?

Ben Collins asks whether we are seeing the end of the purchaser-provider split as we know it.

A health service on the brink: a priority in the corridors of power?

With the much-anticipated Autumn Statement next week and NHS financial pressures hitting the headlines, Chris Ham considers the political context and what lies ahead for a health service on the brink.

NHS planning guidance 2017-19: steps in the right direction?

Richard Murray evaluates the latest NHS planning guidance, and considers whether the changes proposed are welcome and realistic in the current financial context.

The consequences of living within your means

The Department of Health's annual accounts, published last week, were further evidence of the increasingly serious financial crisis facing the NHS. Helen McKenna considers the outlook as measures are put in place to restore financial control.

Public accountability needs to be at the heart of NHS reform

The need has never been greater for transparency and community involvement in decisions about how to manage changes to health and care services, says Alex Baylis.

Separating the noise of contract negotiations from the signal of STPs

Chris Ham considers the progress made so far on sustainability and transformation plans, and whether they really have the potential to be a game-changer for the NHS.

Challenges ahead for the newly established NHS Improvement

NHS Improvement aims to deliver better healthcare, transformed care delivery and sustainable finances. With the official launch on 1 April 2016, Richard Murray considers the challenges it faces.

Real trust rather than regulated trust should be the foundation on which improvement in the NHS is built

A shift in emphasis, away from rules and regulation and towards developing positive organisational cultures that encourage risk taking and avoid blame, will be key as the NHS strives to improve quality

The foundation trust model: death by a thousand cuts

Ben Collins argues that changes in government policy coupled with worsening NHS finances have now fatally compromised the foundation trust model.

Learning from others: devolved governance in the Australian state of Victoria

The health care system in Victoria, Australia, delivers good results compared with other states, but there are still areas where improvements could be made.

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.