Blog

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?

The NHS relies on the reoccurrence of supposedly non-recurrent winter funding, but is still kept on its toes each year wondering how much money will be available and when it will be provided. Siva Anandaciva looks at how it works.

Simon Bottery considers government interest in a ‘nudge’ approach to paying for social care but cautions against focusing on it in the upcoming Green Paper.

With new research suggesting that the number of people aged 85 and over needing round-the-clock care is set to double by 2035, the government needs to make hard choices if it is to solve the puzzle of social care, says Chris Ham.

In light of rising demand for NHS services how should we talk about performance against targets? Deborah Ward takes a different view of the data.

Less than a year since its underwhelming first attempt, the government has just released round two of its plan for childhood obesity. What has the government learned since the last time round and is it still pulling its punches?

Simon Bottery explores a key social care difference between England and Scotland and considers whether it’s time for change.

With medicines spending growing at a time of NHS funding restraint, difficult choices lie ahead for policy-makers. Leo Ewbank assesses the current situation and looks at what the future may hold.

Simon Bottery considers the priorities for the upcoming social care Green Paper.

Helen Gilburt evaluates the government's plan to transform children and young people's mental health provision.

Alex Baylis calls for a more strategic approach to developing the social care workforce.

Does the new NHS planning guidance contain good news or bad? Richard Murray takes stock of the changes.

Matthew Kershaw highlights the need for a fundamental change to the way NHS emergency care is provided.

Neil Guha considers how we can encourage a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in the NHS so it is perceived as a critical component of how we function rather than an optional extra.

The media and groups of NHS staff are describing an A&E service in crisis, while the government says the NHS is more prepared for winter than ever before. What does the latest national data say about how A&E departments are coping compared with previous winters?