Publications

The short term hotchpot of measures taken by the government does nothing to stem the growing pressures on social care, says Richard Humphries.

The current fragmented system of commissioning is clearly unsustainable. While the idea of integrated commissioning is an old one, the approach to achieving it must be decidedly new, writes Lillie Wenzel.

This edition of Public Finance Perspectives explores the strategies needed to align and integrate local public services across traditional organisational boundaries. In his essay, Chris Ham argues that health payment systems are not fit for the purpose of providing integrated, patient-centred care.

Richard Humphries reviews recent policy initiatives to achieve the closer integration of health and social care.

We speak to Tim Kelsey, National Director for Patients and Information at NHS England, about the role of technology in improving care.

As the post-election dust settles, the Queen’s speech confirms that the integration of health and social care continues as a headline policy commitment, with the better care fund and ‘DevoManc’ as flagship policies intended to make this happen. But will they be enough?

Rather than prescribe a one size fits all solution, an approach agreed locally by CCGs and local authorities is the best way forward for integrated care, says Richard Humphries.

The experience of Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the US offers lessons for the NHS about some of the ingredients needed to improve population health, says Hugh Alderwick.

Social care for older people will be increasingly important as our population ages. So why the silence from politicians?

Hugh Alderwick and Chris Naylor discuss provider-led approaches to integration.

Politicians must look for evidence-based solutions and avoid the NHS becoming a political football, says Chris Ham.

Individual episodes of care may be excellent but too often continuity and co-ordination are lacking, says Chris Ham.

Anna Dixon questions whether the Outcomes Framework offers a coherent guide to help steer the health service through the more difficult financial times ahead.

Jo Maybin looks the essential elements of the Operating Framework, including adjustments to the three tiers of 'vital signs' introduced last year.

Deciding who does what will be vital if we’re to get a quality service from the regulators. Niall Dickson reflects on the new role of the CQC and its chair, Lady Young.

Ruth Thorlby and Richard Lewis discuss the public accountability of primary care trusts.

Ruth Robertson, Anna Dixon and Julian Le Grand consider the factors that explain patient satisfaction with general practice physicians and how this may drive patients' choice of practice.

This article looks at the challenges surrounding decommissioning. Government is stepping away from setting central targets and relinquishing direct control over delivery. Locally identified needs and priorities will take their place.

Richard Lewis argues that the Healthcare Commission's review offers something for both proponents and detractors.

John Appleby explores the extent to which poor performance by individual clinicians could be reflected in data available from routine NHS statistics.