Publications

It is critical that primary care networks are not set up to fail by taking on too many tasks too quickly.

Services are at full stretch and struggling to maintain standards, says Chris Ham.

The outcome of the general election will mean more of the same for the NHS and social care in the short term, and huge uncertainty on two fronts in the medium term, says Chris Ham.

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether the government met its pledge on seven-day services.

Ahead of the general election, we consider whether general practice is in crisis.

All political parties agree that social care funding needs reform, but none of the proposed solutions deal fully with the problem, says Richard Humphries.

Get diagnosed with cancer or stroke and you will be looked after by the NHS, but suffer from dementia and you are on your own, says Chris Ham.

One is heavily rationed and means-tested, the other free at the point of use and tax-funded. And when assets are involved, the issue becomes politically toxic, says Richard Humphries.

In a letter to the Editor of The Times, Richard Humphries argues that the Conservative manifesto's response to rising social care costs is inadequate.

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether the government met its pledge to cap social care costs.

The government has bought some time to find a sustainable solution for social care, say Chris Ham and Richard Humphries.

The NHS can no longer afford to fund new treatments to the extent that it has done in the past. This potentially has big implications for patients, but the message is being delivered by un-elected NHS organisations when it should be ministers and the budget setters taking responsibility for this.

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

Ministers need to be honest with the public about the consequences for patient care, says Chris Ham.

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

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

We speak to writer Nicci Gerrard about her father's hospital care, and her campaign – John's Campaign – that calls for the families and carers of people with dementia to be allowed to remain with them in hospital for as many hours of the day and night as necessary.

Does the Green Paper on social care reform follow the right principles, offer the right options, and map out the right way forward? Read our analysis of the government's proposals for changing the way that social care is funded and delivered.

Jo Maybin summarises the main points of the July 2009 Green Paper setting out options for reform of social care funding.

Part of the King's Fund Point of Care programme, 'Enabling Compassion' was the first in a series of workshops, and was intended to gain insight into what prevents and enables compassionate care.