Blog | The King's Fund

Harnessing the winds of change – early learning on integrated care systems

Local context is of the utmost importance in the development of integrated care systems, influencing the nature of collaborative working.

What can cities in England learn from other countries about population health?

As we publish a new report on population health, Chris Naylor asks whether it is time for cities to have more powers to improve the health of their populations.

What does the future hold for integrated care systems?

What does the change from accountable care systems to integrated care systems mean? Chris Ham draws on the Fund’s work to clarify what is happening.

Making the most of our assets: the time has come to realise the full potential of community services

In the context of the current unprecedented pressures on the NHS, it is now more important than ever that everyone involved in the health and care system pays proper attention to community services and all they have to offer.

NHS England should work with local leaders and clinicians to explain accountable care

NHS England’s plans aim to create opportunities to improve care, not to privatise the NHS by stealth, argues Chris Ham.

Bottom up, top down, middle out: transforming health and care in Greater Manchester

Local care organisations in Greater Manchester are working to improve health and care services for their local populations. Anna Charles shares reflections from a learning network of LCO leaders.

A reduction in new HIV diagnoses is no reason to reduce effort

Alex Baylis calls for effective national and local leadership in HIV services, as new figures show a fall in new diagnoses in gay and bisexual men.

Sustainable primary care provides a platform for system change

In the final blog in our series about the transformation of the Canterbury health system in New Zealand, Vince Barry, Chief Executive of Pegasus Health, looks at how building sustainable primary care creates a platform for change.

‘You need a whole system to work for the whole system to work’

In this guest blog, David Meates, Chief Executive of the Canterbury District Health Board in New Zealand, explains how organisations within the Canterbury health system have moved from playing the ‘blame game’ to working together to provide the best possible care for the local population.

Whole-system transformation needs whole-system engagement

Recently, the Fund hosted a visit by leaders of the health system in Canterbury, New Zealand. In this blog, the first of three drawing on experiences shared during the visit, Chris Ham focuses on how Canterbury’s leaders began transforming care and the results they delivered.

How does the NHS work? A never-ending story

Our new six-and-a half-minute animation explains how the NHS works. Katie Mantell looks at how and why we produced it.

Comprehensive quality improvement: not ‘why should we do it?’ but ‘when will we start?’

As the Fund publishes a report on leadership for quality improvement, Matthew Kershaw encourages NHS organisations to embrace its lessons for leaders and make a start.

Analysing STPs in London: service reconfiguration, finances and leadership

Chris Ham outlines the main issues brought to light in our independent assessment of London’s sustainability and transformation plans, and what the Mayor of London can do to help with their successful delivery.

Lessons from Canterbury: Five reasons for hope

Following the launch of our new report, Developing accountable care systems: lessons from Canterbury, New Zealand, Stephen Dunn reflects on five reasons for hope.

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.

Stronger leadership needed if HIV services are to evolve to meet changing needs

Alex Baylis considers the future of HIV services in England against a backdrop of a fragmented system created by reforms.

HIV services: a view from the sharp end of policy decisions

Guest author Jane Shepherd shares her personal experience of how decisions about health policy affect people living with HIV.

Tackling culture change to transform mental health services

What are the organisational development challenges in establishing a new service model? Mandip Kaur reflects on her experience at Forward Thinking Birmingham, an innovative mental health partnership.

Taking back control: Integrated Personal Commissioning

Patrick Hall asks whether personalised care planning and budgets could improve the experiences of people with complex needs, achieve better outcomes and make better use of limited resources.

The role of GPs in leading local health system change

Dr Nikita Kanani reflects on the opportunities and challenges posed by GPs becoming medical leaders in their local health system.

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.