Blog | The King's Fund

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.

The compact between the public and the NHS

Chris Ham explores how the public's expectations of and obligations towards the NHS have changed over time.

Uses of the Mental Health Act: is the data fit for purpose?

How reliable is the data collected about detentions under the Mental Health Act? Veena Raleigh looks at the data quality issues and their implications.

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.

The King’s Fund at the turn of the millennium

In the final blog in our series celebrating the Fund’s 120th anniversary, Ruth Nitkiewicz looks at the Fund’s work from the late 1990s until recent years.

Reducing inequalities in children and young people’s mental health

With the publication of the government’s Green Paper on child and adolescent mental health, Jill Roberts looks at how it tackles the issues around inequalities.

A conversation with the public: could different be better?

As part of our series on the NHS and the public, Professor Keith Willett considers the changing nature of care.

Enhancing health in care homes: system leadership in action

Building relationships is central to the success of work under way to enhance health in care homes. Susie Perks-Baker looks at how respecting each other’s skills and knowledge can help.

The future of the NHS must be settled through constructive argument not adversarial disputes

Chris Ham urges national leaders to work together to determine what the NHS can deliver with current funding constraints.

Publications: Independent research and analysis on health and social care

Reports, long reads and articles.