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.

With the Healthcare Commission's annual health check putting the spotlight on the performance of NHS leaders, Karen Lynas warns against underinvesting in its leaders.

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

Has Agenda for Change achieved its ambitious objectives of reforming pay, developing new ways of working and delivering better care? Using key national informants and case studies in 10 NHS trusts, this paper assesses the implementation.

Imagine being able to see the future and assess health needs and the repercussions of policy initiatives. Windmill 2007 did that and found some valuable pointers.

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.

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.

This briefing outlines the main points in the 2007/8 Operating Framework, provides some analysis of the content and discusses the implications of the accompanying documents.

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.

Niall Dickson explains why workforce planning in health is a nightmare.

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

The lack of a 'big picture' of where NHS reforms will take us means investment and strategic planning are severely hampered. Alasdair Liddell and Laurie McMahon describe a behavioural modelling approach that can help.

The King's Fund was commissioned to carry out this literature review on clinician behaviour on behalf of NICE.

This paper responds to a report on medical regulation, 'Good Doctors, Safer Patients' and the review by the Department of Health on the regulation of non-medical health care professions.

Amid increasing independent and voluntary sector involvement in NHS service delivery this report highlights issues that the government and health service providers in all three sectors should address.

Drawing on evidence from five acute NHS trusts, this paper assesses the impact of the new consultant contract in England and asks whether reforms will translate into benefits for patients.

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.

As we reach the end of the financial year, Niall Dickson warns there could be even more stories of deficits, wards being closed and staff being cut.