Blog | The King's Fund

Five ways to improve junior doctor morale

With dissatisfaction among junior doctors reaching unprecedented levels, Bilal Sahib suggests five ways of improving morale that can be implemented locally.

Nursing student numbers: should we panic yet?

David Maguire asks whether withdrawing the bursary for student nursing has resulted in more trainee nurses.

Hidden from the targets: how long are patients waiting for NHS care?

Deteriorating performance against national waiting time targets is one of the most visible signs of the increasing pressures facing the NHS. But do the current headlines fully capture how long patients are now waiting for NHS care?

Public expectations of the NHS

In a guest blog for our NHS and the public project, Bobby Duffy, Managing Director of Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute, explores public expectations of the NHS and other public services.

Priorities for the NHS in 2018/19 and beyond

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

Transforming general practice through volunteering

Transforming general practice through volunteering

In a guest blog to accompany our volunteering report, Kay Keane shares her experience of developing a community-centred general practice approach through building a community of volunteers.

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.

Not to be sniffed at: flu vaccination for NHS staff

What more could the NHS do to improve flu vaccination uptake among staff? Bilal Sahib looks at the options.

From Margaret Thatcher to Theresa May: 30 years of the public’s views about the NHS and public spending

Richard Murray reflects on what the public’s views about the NHS over the past three decades might tell us about the future of the service.

Engaging the public in designing the future for the NHS

In a guest blog for our NHS and the public project, Michelle Dixon, Director of Communications, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, reflects on how important public engagement will be in designing a workable future for the NHS.

Focusing on better-value care

Focusing on better-value care

As the NHS faces financial and service pressures, Matthew Lewis asks if now is the time to focus on better-value care.

NHS winter crisis: when a plan is not a plan

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

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.

Addressing the emotional realities of the job: compassionate care for the NHS workforce

Shilpa Ross and Laura Bennett consider whether organisation-wide forums are helping health care staff to address the emotional impact of their work.

Preventing a recurrence of this winter's pressures

Preventing a recurrence of this winter’s crisis

Chris Ham considers what needs to be done to stabilise the NHS and ensure that this winter's crisis does not recur.

How can the NHS tap into innovations from the front line?

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.

A&E performance reaches a new low

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?

Black alerts: for emergencies only?

Matthew Kershaw considers whether the frequency of black alerts this winter is putting staff and patients under unsustainable pressure.

Delayed transfers of care: a target that misses the mark?

David Maguire considers what progress has been made in reducing delayed transfers of care.

Local government spending on public health: death by a thousand cuts

David Buck considers recent changes in local government spending that will affect the public's health.

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.