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.

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.

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.

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.