Is the NHS in crisis?

The NHS is struggling to cope with record demand and social care services are stretched to the limit. Here we highlight a selection of our work to explain the pressures on services and what needs to be done to put the health and social care system on a sustainable footing for the future.

Commentary

Will the capped expenditure process help keep a lid on NHS finances?

Siva Anandaciva asks whether the capped expenditure process is an attempt at a short-term fix for a long-term problem.

Call to strengthen NHS finances: letter to the Editor

None of the main political parties has pledged enough to cover even half the funding increase needed for the NHS to deal with pressures faced in the next five years.

NHS finances on the brink

Richard Murray gives an overview of the state of NHS finances, ahead of the latest figures being released next week.

Theresa May's choice: give the NHS more money, or tell voters to expect worse care

Chris Ham reflects on Simon Stevens challenge to the government either to find more money for the NHS and social care, or be honest with the public about the consequences.

Analysis

Demand and activity

How hospital activity in the NHS in England has changed over time

Why is the NHS struggling to maintain standards of care despite increased funding? Demand for services is rising.

Quarterly monitoring report (QMR)

The QMR features survey results from NHS trust finance directors and CCG finance leads, and interactive charts on selected NHS performance data.

Nine things we learnt about provider finances in 2016/17

Nine things we have learnt from NHS Improvement's financial data, which gives an insight into the challenges facing NHS providers of hospital, ambulance, mental health and community services.

In more depth

Understanding pressures in general practice

Our report uses qualitative and quantitative data to assess the patient factors, system factors and supply-side issues driving the current pressures in general practice.

Understanding quality in district nursing services: Learning from patients, carers and staff

This report investigates what good district nursing care looks like and looks at the growing demand capacity gap in district nursing and the worrying impact that this is having on services, the workforce and the quality and safety of patient care.

Social care for older people

Social care for older people: Home truths

This report looks at social care services for older people and the impact of cuts in local authority spending on social care providers and on older people, their families and carers.

Solutions

Priorities for health and care

What are the priorities for health and social care?

Ahead of the party conference season, we assess the state of health and social care and set out the big issues facing the government.

Completed project

Commission on the Future of Health and Social Care in England

The Barker Commission answered the question of whether having separate systems for health and social care is still fit for purpose.

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Five reasons why this NHS winter may be different

Siva Anandaciva considers the prospects for a NHS dealing with winter pressures, workforce challenges and limited funding, while planning for a no-deal Brexit.

The King’s Fund responds to the Conservative party manifesto

The Conservative manifesto offers a number of welcome NHS pledges, particularly to confront the current workforce crisis, but the overall funding package pledged for frontline NHS services doesn’t represent a comprehensive funding plan that includes workforce training, capital funding, adult social care or public health, says Richard Murray.

Not just the NHS: manifestos need to consider other health and care priorities too

Sally Warren calls for political parties to consider more than just the NHS in their manifestos. To truly improve health and care, public health, social care, mental health, workforce and funding must also be priorities.

Politicians should avoid the temptation of another NHS top-down re-organisation

Following today’s Queen’s Speech and an election looming, Richard Murray warns that a major re-organisation of the NHS risks damaging a service that is already under strain.