Publications | The King's Fund

Approaches to better value: improving quality and cost

The NHS is increasingly focusing on how it can improve the value of its services, to deliver the highest quality health outcomes for patients at the lowest possible cost. This report shares learning and insight from three NHS hospital trusts that have developed organisation-wide strategies for value improvement.

A year of integrated care systems: reviewing the journey so far

Integrated care systems represent a fundamental and far-reaching change in how the NHS works across different services and with external partners. This report is based on interviews with eight of the ‘first wave’ ICSs to understand how they are developing and to identify lessons for local systems and national policy-makers.

The NHS 10-year plan: how should the extra funding be spent?

The government has announced increases in NHS funding and has asked the NHS to come up with a 10-year plan for how this funding will be used. After eight years of austerity, there is now an opportunity to tackle the issues that matter most to patients and communities and to improve health and care.

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.

Call to strengthen NHS finances: letter to the Editor

None of the main political parties has pledged enough to cover even half the funding increase needed for the NHS to deal with pressures faced in the next five years.

Did the government meet its pledge to deliver seven-day services?

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether the government met its pledge on seven-day services.

How does the NHS compare internationally? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we look at how the NHS compares with international health systems.

How is the NHS performing? June 2017: Quarterly Monitoring Report

Our quarterly monitoring report combines analysis of the latest NHS performance data with unique insight from NHS trust and CCG finance directors, and from general practitioners – providing a comprehensive overview of how the NHS is faring.

Is general practice in crisis? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we consider whether general practice is in crisis.

The politics of health: what do the public think about the NHS?

Dan Wellings reviews the polls to uncover what the public are looking for from politicians when it comes to the NHS.

Talking leadership: Mark Doughty on delivering a vision of real collaboration

Mark Doughty explains why it's critical that there is a new relationship between those in the health care system and patients and local communities.

What policies are needed to improve children’s health? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we consider what policies are needed to improve children's health.

Bringing people together: Peter’s story

Here we talk to Peter Pritchard, who first became involved with the work of the Fund as GP in the early 1950s.

General election 2017 manifestos

The parties’ pledges on health and social care

Ahead of the general election, we summarise the main pledges made by the three main parties on health and social care.

Social care: manifesto debacle shows need for wider debate

All political parties agree that social care funding needs reform, but none of the proposed solutions deal fully with the problem, says Richard Humphries.

Theresa May is right to drop the 'dementia tax' the social care system needs considered reform

Get diagnosed with cancer or stroke and you will be looked after by the NHS, but suffer from dementia and you are on your own, says Chris Ham.

We have to address the faultline between social care and the NHS

One is heavily rationed and means-tested, the other free at the point of use and tax-funded. And when assets are involved, the issue becomes politically toxic, says Richard Humphries.

Concerns about social care costs: letter to the Editor

In a letter to the Editor of The Times, Richard Humphries argues that the Conservative manifesto's response to rising social care costs is inadequate.

NHS estates: review of the evidence

This evidence review was commissioned by the Department of Health as part of the independent review of NHS estates and property being undertaken by Sir Robert Naylor.

Is there ‘parity of esteem’ between mental and physical health? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we consider whether there is parity of esteem between mental and physical health.

Cascading Leadership: a new model to support leadership in the voluntary and community sector

We outline the importance of investing in leadership in the voluntary and community sector, sharing the results of an external evaluation of the Cascading Leadership programme.

Mental health and new models of care: lessons from the vanguards

This report argues that new care models and vanguards need to make more of opportunities to improve care through integrated approaches to mental health.

9 principles of success: mental health in the vanguards

Nine principles for success: integrating mental health in new models of care

We identify nine key principles for successful integration of mental health in new models of care.

What are STPs and why do they matter? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we consider what sustainability and transformation plans are and why they matter.

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.