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.

Our latest survey of finance directors reveals the highest level of pessimism about the financial position of health organisations since we began surveying in the autumn of 2011.

The LGA and ADASS invited senior figures from across the care and support sector to provide their perspective on some of the issues covered in their report, Adult social care funding: 2014 state of the nation. This is Richard Humphries' viewpoint.

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.

With the general election coming at a pivotal time for health and social care, we set out our view of the key challenges and priorities for the next government.

The final report from the Commission on the Future of Health and Social Care in England.

Our twelfth Quarterly Monitoring Report features survey results from finance directors and interactive charts on selected NHS performance data.

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.

John Appleby assesses whether the policy of charging for prescriptions in England is helping or harming the NHS.

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.

The government’s NHS reforms were meant to devolve power away from Whitehall. In practice the health service remains one of the most centralised in the world. Bottom-up change is urgently needed.

We found no change in overall satisfaction with the NHS since 2011, although there have been changes in the public’s views on specific services.

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

This report describes how six trusts have been grappling with the productivity challenge. It also suggests ways to divert the NHS and social care from their current trajectory, which is heading towards a major crisis.

Rachael Addicott considers how forward thinking GPs can be more engaged in leading the radical service redesign that is required in primary care.

Our eleventh Quarterly Monitoring Report features survey results from finance directors and interactive charts on selected NHS performance data.

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

The interim report from the independent Commission on the Future of Health and Social Care in England explains why England needs a single health and social care system, with a ring-fenced, singly commissioned budget, and more closely aligned entitlements.

The freeing up of pension pots announced in the Budget could have unintended negative consequences for the social care system. These need to be urgently addressed.

Richard Humphries looks at how social care can meet one of this generation's biggest policy challenges in an opinion article for Community Care.