Publications

In 2009, the English NHS introduced a world-leading initiative in the pursuit of quality health care: the measurement of patients’ views about their own health became a routine part of the delivery of NHS-funded services. So how has this laudable initiative progressed since its initial success? The answer is, sadly, barely at all.

Richard Murray looks at the issues to consider when designing a better approach to financial failure.

The predictable and understandable reluctance to talk about higher taxation before the election means that the funding challenge facing the NHS is not being adequately addressed.

As part of the Local Government Association's new campaign, Investing in our nation’s future: the first 100 days of the next government, Richard Humphries details what the Fund would like from the next government in its first 100 days in office.

Staff are beginning to question how much longer they can stave off the consequences of unprecedented financial pressure.

Much less emphasis should be placed on the use of external pressures, such as targets and inspection, and much greater priority should be given to reforming the NHS from within.

There is evidence that patient activation is an effective way to measure the capacity of patients to manage their health and for providers to better tailor services to them. Helen Gilburt and Alf Collins explain how.

Chris Ham reviews this week's news and discusses why we must debate the future funding of NHS and strengthen leadership.

More money is needed – and soon – if the NHS is to avoid drifting into a financial crisis, says Richard Murray.

Hard choices have to be faced to ensure our health and social care systems meet the challenges of the 21st century, says commission chair Kate Barker

Organisations close to their communities can often respond to needs in a more targeted way, find solutions and co-ordinate services, says Lisa Weaks.

The King’s Fund proposes a radically new approach to commissioning and funding general practice to tackle the pressure of rising demands when resources are declining.

Over the past few months there has been considerable debate and argument about plans by the NHS to collect and centrally collate details of individual patient records from general practice for the first time. Such fears are perhaps not just hypothetical given past examples of lost patient notes and what appear to be the misuse of sensitive patient information (even for the best of intentions).

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

The Operating Framework sets out the Department of Health's vision for the NHS, bringing together last year's priorities with the proposals on quality.

John Appleby provides a data analysis of the new PCT allocations, looking at the likely impact, particularly in the context of the wider economic climate.

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.