Publications

This briefing explores some of the questions and issues relating to practice-based commissioning in England, examines the pace of implementation and offers some analysis of the impact – current and future – on NHS services.

This briefing examines the recent debate over hospital configuration in England; describes what changes are currently being proposed together with the main factors driving these changes; and sets out the process by which services can be reconfigured.

The King's Fund and Commonwealth Fund sponsored a seminar bringing together leading policymakers, clinicians and academics from England and the USA to share experiences.

Tony Harrison and Ian Gilmore ask whether more care at home and new 'polyclinics' will spell the end of district general hospitals?

At the dawn of a new political administration, The King's Fund Chief Executive Niall Dickson examines the issues likely to dominate health debate in the coming months.

This paper supports the challenges set out by the Department of Health for Payments by Results, but asks if its goals are likely to conflict in practice.

Despite receiving widespread support, implementation of practice-based commissioning (PBC) has been slow. This report explores the current situation for PBC and considers how it might be driven forward within the NHS.

In January 2006 the Department of Health published 'Our health, our care, our say: A new direction for community services'. This briefing outlines the main policies.

One of the most controversial proposals in the government's Mental Health Bill is the introduction of supervised community treatment (SCT). This briefing explores some of the surrounding issues and the available evidence on the likely effect of SCT.

Article reporting on The King's Fund research into how primary schools are supporting children with emotional and behavioural needs.

This qualitative study explores GPs' views on their role in supporting patient choice at the point of referral, their views on Choose and Book and equity in choice.

Simon Lawton-Smith argues that Scotland's experience of compulsory community treatment orders provides some useful pointers for the forthcoming Mental Health (Amendment) Act in England and Wales.

Jo Maybin says ministers face a struggle to win over sceptics about NHS reform.

What impact have community-based compulsory treatment orders had in the first six months since they were introduced in Scotland, and what lessons can England and Wales learn from this experience?

This paper responds to questions in the consultation on smoke-free premises and vehicles, the exemption of the smoking ban in treatment facilities, and ensuring protection from secondhand smoke.

Aims to stimulate debate about developing cancer services in England, as demographic trends, new treatments, increasing survival rates and NHS reforms have altered the context in which they operate.

Explores the arguments for and against the proposed ban on indoor smoking in psychiatric units, as well as the impact of smoking and smoking bans in these settings.

Explores how social enterprises, particularly those with a 'mutual' structure, could add value to the provision of primary and community care and practice-based commissioning, and suggests how this system could be implemented.

How much should be spent on social care for older people over the next 20 years, and what funding arrangements are needed? Our report sets out the findings of the Wanless Social Care Review.

Niall Dickson argues that there is now a glimmer of hope that care really can be transformed. But the details of the Wanless report and other recent studies show just how big and deep-rooted the current problems are.