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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The Comprehensive Spending Review – what more for health and care spending?

The Comprehensive Spending Review details the government’s plans for public spending over the coming years. It will clarify which areas of the health and care budget have not yet been addressed by recent funding announcements around the NHS and for social care reform. Here, we set out the challenges and consider steps the government could take to address them.

A combined health and care levy could create as many problems as it solves

Siva Anandaciva outlines why a health and care levy might not be enough to address the workforce challenges and growing waiting lists the NHS and social care are currently facing.

What does the Spring Statement 2022 mean for the NHS?

Despite no big announcements on NHS spending, the Spring Statement did contain some details for the health service to pay attention to. Siva Anandaciva outlines how inflation, the health and care levy and aims to improve efficiency will all have an impact.

2021: the health policy year in 12 charts

Despite Covid-19 dominating the year, there were plenty of other health and care policy headlines in 2021. Siva Anandaciva takes a look back at the key moments of the past year.