Publications | The King's Fund

The NHS long-term plan explained

On 7 January, the NHS long-term plan was published setting out key ambitions for the service over the next 10 years. In this explainer, we set out the main commitments in the plan and provide our view of what they might mean, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for the health and care system as it moves to put the plan into practice.

A vision for population health: towards a healthier future

A vision for population health: Towards a healthier future

We need to move away from a system just focused on diagnosing and treating illness towards one that is based on promoting wellbeing and preventing ill health. Our report sets out a new vision for population health.

Shared responsibility for health: the cultural change we need

We believe that the relationship between the public and the NHS, and between patients and the staff who care for them, needs to be transformed. As well as ensuring that the resources (funding and workforce) needed to deliver care are available, national and local leaders must work to fully engage patients and the public in improving health and care.

The health care workforce in England: make or break?

In advance of the publication of the NHS long-term plan, this briefing highlights the scale of workforce challenges now facing the health service and the threat this poses to the delivery and quality of care over the next 10 years.

NHS funding and privatisation: the facts

Professor Stephen Hawking’s views on the NHS have prompted a lively debate. Here we set out the facts about NHS funding and privatisation and look at the pros and cons of different ways of paying for health care.

Yet more performance ratings for the NHS: new STP ratings are narrowly focused and centrally driven

In July NHS England published its first 'progress dashboard' for the 44 new sustainability and transformation partnerships, but these new ratings are narrowly focused and centrally driven, say Hugh Alderwick and Veena Raleigh.

Priorities for health and care

What are the priorities for health and social care?

Ahead of the party conference season, we assess the state of health and social care and set out the big issues facing the government.

Enhancing the healing environment: Carrie’s story

Here we talk to Carrie Clarke, who received funding through our Enhancing the Healing Environment programme to transform a ward for people with dementia.

Quality improvement in mental health

Quality improvement has a role to play in improving the quality of care in mental health services. Our report looks at what organisations need to do to implement a quality improvement approach effectively and the benefits this can bring.

Nine things we learnt about provider finances in 2016/17

Nine things we have learnt from NHS Improvement's financial data, which gives an insight into the challenges facing NHS providers of hospital, ambulance, mental health and community services.

The capped expenditure process explained

In response to significant financial pressures in the NHS, a capped expenditure process has been introduced to provide tighter controls on spending. We explain how the process works and what it involves.

Getting It Right First Time report

Tackling variations in clinical care: assessing the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme

The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme aims to bring about higher-quality care in hospitals, at lower cost, by reducing unwanted variations in services and practices.

Transforming the NHS through second-order change

Matthew Lewis and Julia Fernando discuss what the barriers and enablers to transformational change are, and why this type of change is key to the future of the NHS.

Evidence and consultation

Briefing: House of Commons debate on the address: health, social care and security

Ahead of debates on the address on Wednesday 28 June in the House of Commons and Thursday 29 June in the House of Lords, The King's Fund has produced this written briefing on the key issues for health and social care in the new parliament.

The general election, the NHS, and social care: a less damaging deal on Brexit and more funding may result

The outcome of the general election will mean more of the same for the NHS and social care in the short term, and huge uncertainty on two fronts in the medium term, says Chris Ham.

Helen Arthur on learning from technological innovation in the vanguards

Ahead of our Digital Health and Care Congress in July, we speak to Helen Arthur about how the vanguards are applying technology and what other areas can learn from them.

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.

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.