Blog | The King's Fund

Health inequalities and the NHS

How can our health services help to reduce health inequalities? Victor Adebowale argues that involving communities and working holistically can help, while remembering the founding principles of the NHS.

Mental health funding in the 2018 Autumn Budget: the devil will be in the detail

While the additional funding for mental health services announced in this week’s Budget is welcome, it will take more than money to deliver parity of esteem.

Better value and a better night's sleep: keeping acutely unwell children and adults out of hospital

Mathew Mathai, Consultant Paediatrician at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explains how the concept of a ‘virtual hospital’ and keeping patients out of hospital where possible has helped to improve quality and reduce costs.

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.

Can generous leadership in the voluntary and community sector support NHS transformation?

Voluntary and community sector leaders are expert collaborators and part of a growing movement demonstrating their willingness to take on the challenge of transformation, says Lisa Weaks.

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.

The puzzle of STPs in London

Why are London’s sustainability and transformation partnerships trailing behind those in other places? Chris Ham highlights some answers and recommendations in our new report.

A short history of NHS winter funding

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.

Reviewing the Better Care Fund: time to be bold?

The upcoming review of the Better Care Fund needs to highlight opportunities for development to support the integration of the NHS and social care.

Health inequalities: the NHS plan needs to take more responsibility

It’s good news that the NHS long-term plan has a workstream – or, to be precise, part of a workstream (bundled with prevention and personal responsibility) on health inequalities. So, what should be in it?

A potential red herring in the social care Green Paper

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.

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.

The NHS long-term plan: factoring in multiple risks

A long-term plan for the NHS requires new thinking on how to address multiple unhealthy risk factors, as Harry Evans explains.

‘Moving at the speed of trust’ – the journey to integrated care systems

Creating an integrated care system is most definitely a journey and not an event, and they must evolve and be owned locally if they are to succeed, says Anna Charles.

Shaping the future of general practice

NHS England and general practice must collaborate to deliver new ways of working. Beccy Baird considers what the relationship needs to develop.

Developing NHS trust chief executives – where do chairs fit in?

The relationship between the chair and chief executive of NHS organisations is critical in growing the great leaders we need and that the public pay for and deserve, says Peter Lachecki.

Using technology to build a partnership of trust with patients

Chris Ham explores how technology can enable positive clinician-patient relationships and support patients to take an active role in their health and wellbeing.

The journey towards integrated care

Lillie Wenzel previews findings from our report on how integrated care systems are developing.

How can community involvement reduce health inequalities?

Can community involvement in Morecambe Bay help reduce health inequalities that have existed over decades?

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.