Blog | The King's Fund

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?

Solving the puzzle of social care: the time for action is now

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.

NHS performance: bad, better or both?

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.

Diversity should be a strategic priority

Suzie Bailey explores diversity in the NHS – and why there is still more to do.

Getting the right leadership in place

Rt Hon Jacqui Smith argues that getting the right leadership team in place – and keeping them there – is crucial for NHS trusts.

Through the eyes of GP trainees: workforce of the future

What is driving the workforce crisis in general practice? Mike Nosa-Ehima looks for answers in the results of our survey of GP trainees.

From lab to bedside: ensuring new medicines are available in a cost-effective and timely way

David Omojomolo explores the challenge of offering new medicines within current financial restraints.

The NHS app: will it work?

Matt Honeyman considers the opportunities and challenges ahead for the NHS’s national app due by the end of 2018.

The NHS 10-year plan: how much will be spent on NHS deficits?

Richard Murray calls for the reform of the NHS’s current Byzantine financial system.

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.