Publications | The King's Fund

Two people standing outside a nursing home

Social care 360

This review outlines and analyses 20 key trends in adult social care in England over recent years. Using a variety of publicly-available data, it provides a uniquely rounded – ‘360 degree’ – view of the sector.

What does the NHS England review of waiting times mean for accident and emergency departments?

As NHS England proposes new waiting times targets, Siva Anandaciva weighs up the impact of the four-hour target and outlines seven key issues for the new standards that have been proposed for emergency departments.

Improving population health

What does improving population health really mean?

Everybody in NHS policy seems to be talking about population health. But what does it really mean and how can we improve it?

Closing the gap: Key areas for action on the health and care workforce

Closing the gap: Key areas for action on the health and care workforce

Staffing is the make-or-break issue for the NHS in England. In this joint report with the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation, we set out the policy actions that need to be at the heart of the workforce implementation plan due to be published later this year.

It’s time for a new deal between the public and the NHS

The 70th anniversary of the NHS is an opportunity to reflect on its enduring popularity and to ask what people can expect from the service and what their obligations are in return, says Chris Ham.

The NHS at 70: What will new technology mean for the NHS and its patients?

Technology is rarely the saviour of health services in the way that politicians hope – at least in the short term. It takes time to implement, requires shifts in workforce, and investment – posing real dilemmas for a cash-strapped NHS.

Digital change is priceless

In light of recent announcements, Harry Evans argues it is now time for the NHS to step out of the shadow of past implementation failures.

The NHS at 70: Are we expecting too much from the NHS?

In this paper we explore the public’s expectations of the NHS, the balance between meeting those expectations and living within a constrained budget, and the question of who is responsible for keeping us healthy.

The NHS at 70: What's the problem with social care, and why do we need to do better?

Social care is complex, poorly understood and widely perceived as unfair – while facing unprecedented pressures. This paper explains the current pressures on social care, the impact this is having in England, and sets out the barriers and potential solutions to funding reform.

The NHS at 70: Does the NHS need more money and how could we pay for it?

The UK government spends £150 billion every year on health – more than twice what we spent less than 20 years ago at the start of the 2000s. But might the NHS still require more funding, and if it does how could we find more money?

The NHS at 70: How good is the NHS?

An investigation into three key aspects of a good health care system – comparing access, efficiency and outcomes in the UK to 18 similar countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

The public and the NHS: what's the deal?

In March 2018 The King’s Fund and Ipsos MORI carried out a series of discussion events with the public to explore people's views on the relationship between the public and the NHS. This report sets out the findings.

A new deal with the public

It’s time to revisit what people can expect from the NHS and what their obligations are in return, writes Chris Ham.

A funding boost for the NHS in England

Now the government must decide how to fund social care, says Chris Ham.

Leading across health and social care in Scotland: learning from chief officers' experiences, planning next steps

This report, commissioned by the Scottish Government in collaboration with the chief officers of integration authorities, looks how the chief officers have developed their role in the Scottish health and social care system so far.

Digital change

Digital change in health and social care

The use of digital technology in health and social care can improve quality, efficiency and patient experience as well as supporting more integrated care and improving the health of a population. This report shares practical learning from a series of case studies where significant large-scale digital change is happening.

Evidence and consultation

APPG on Mental Health inquiry: into the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health

This consultation response is our contribution to the APPG on Mental Health inquiry into the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.

The role of cities in improving population health: international insights

Drawing on international case studies, this report explores the role of cities in improving population health and the conditions needed for success.

Integrated care has the potential to improve health outcomes

Chris Ham and Anna Charles outline the findings and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee’s review of integrated care development in the NHS.

Innovative models of general practice

Innovative models of general practice

We look at innovative models of general practice from the UK and other countries and identify key design features we believe will be important in designing effective GP services in the future.

An alternative day in the life of a GP

What would a day in the life of a GP working in an innovative model of general practice look like? We pull together a typical day based on the experiences of GPs we met in researching Innovative models of general practice.

An open letter: a long-term funding settlement for the NHS

An open letter to the Prime Minister from The King's Fund, The Nuffield Trust and The Health Foundation about a long-term funding settlement for the NHS.

Hypothecated funding for health and social care: how might it work?

Hypothecated funding for health and social care is back on the political agenda. This paper sets out the problems hypothecation is meant to solve – and the conditions under which it might do so – and provides a brief history of hypothecation in the UK.

Data in the NHS

Using data in the NHS: the implications of the opt-out and GDPR

Harry Evans explores the use of data in the NHS, the systems in place for protecting it and what GDPR and the opt-out might mean for the future.

Blog: Comment and analysis on the key issues in health and social care

All blog posts from The King's Fund.

Health and care explained: How does the health and care system work? How is it changing?

This selection of content aims to make sense of the health and care system – including videos, articles, illustrated summaries and more.