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.

Community health services explained

Community services play a key role in keeping people well, treating and managing acute illness and long-term conditions, and supporting people to live independently – and yet they are poorly understood compared to other parts of the NHS. In this explainer we set out what community services are, the challenges faced and how they're changing.

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.

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.

What impact will Brexit have on the health and social care workforce? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we consider the impact Brexit will have on the health and social care workforce.

Did the government meet its pledge to tackle childhood obesity?

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether the government met its pledge to tackle childhood obesity.

Is there too much bureaucracy in the NHS? big election questions

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether there is too much bureaucracy in the NHS.

Has the government delivered on its pledge to increase NHS funding?

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether the government has delivered on its 2015 pledge to increase NHS funding.

Did the government meet its pledge to cap the cost of social care?

Ahead of the general election, we explore whether the government met its pledge to cap social care costs.

Is the government on track to get 5,000 more doctors working in general practice by 2020?

Ahead of the general election, we explore how far the government has come in meeting its pledge to get 5,000 more doctors working in general practice by 2020.

Leading across the health and care system: lessons from experience

This paper offers those who are leading new systems of care some guidance on how to address the challenges they face. It draws on the Fund’s work on the development of new care models, sustainability and transformation plans, and accountable care organisations.

Caring to change: how compassionate leadership can stimulate innovation in health care

This paper looks at compassion as a core cultural value of the NHS and how compassionate leadership results in a working environment that encourages people to find new and improved ways of doing things.

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.