The NHS in England has long relied on overseas staff. If international recruitment is brought down towards the 10% target, gaps will need to be filled. Read the blog from Lucina Rolewicz for reflections on how staffing challenges should be accounted for in the next workforce plan 👉 buff.ly/uuphES5

We’ve researched the state of district nursing in England and found that there has been a failure to develop a sustainable pipeline of new district nurses to meet rising demand, resulting in fewer recorded contacts with the service now than in 2009 📉 Read the report 👉 buff.ly/nIumuZh

There's a new workforce plan on the way for the NHS in England. But what's needed to make it a success? That's what my latest blog considers 👇 The NHS has a history of setting plans that are rightly ambitious but which fail to live up to the hype - there's much to reflect on and learn from 🧵(1/6)

A new report from the independent #ADHD Taskforce, which our Chief Exec @theasrstein.bsky.social sits on, has been published today. Read here: buff.ly/d61LdPh Our #QualityWatch programme is also tracking how the rise in demand for ADHD support can be seen through prescribing data: buff.ly/BejmNAQ

🆕 Long read from workforce researcher @lkrole.bsky.social considers the priorities for NHS workforce planning 👩‍⚕️ With a new NHS workforce plan on the way, questions remain about how to build a realistic and sustainable approach to staffing the health service.

Our upcoming half-day policy event will consider some of the big challenges facing the health service, spanning issues from the cost of the NHS, to the delivery of the neighbourhood vision, and to how AI should work in practice. It's free to attend and open to all. Register here: buff.ly/UA73IZo

In an article for @publicsectorfocus.bsky.social, experts reflect on the key questions for public sector leaders when implementing #AI tools ⚖️ Read the article from project leads @angusramsay.bsky.social and @profnaomifulop.bsky.social 👉 flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=6900e79403bc5#36

🆕 @theasrstein.bsky.social spoke to @nursinginpractice.bsky.social about the state of the #DistrictNursing workforce, and why it's a problem that over a quarter are paid at a lower band than the typical starting point for qualified district nurses.

Our staffing tracker records that there were 379,549 full-time equivalent nurses working in the NHS in June this year, up by over 11,000 since June 2024 📈 🔍 Explore the tracker here: buff.ly/RhqlSzD But it’s about more than just the overall numbers… (1/2)

Our research investigates the challenges facing district nursing – a key #NHS staff group. The need for support from district nurses in England grew by around a quarter in the 14 years to 2023/24 and is projected to grow further. Read the report 👉 buff.ly/gezemDJ

District nursing is in a dire state, and the latest report from @nuffieldtrust.org.uk shows a worse than feared collapse in the workforce. Westminster government’s ambitions to shift care from hospital to community will fail unless the district nursing workforce is rebuilt. ⬇️

EVENT: In December, Nuffield Trust and health and social care sector experts will gather for a half-day event in Westminster to explore how the NHS can deliver on its many priorities ↗️ The event is open to all and free to attend, with lunch provided. Sign up here: buff.ly/UA73IZo

NEW: @theasrstein.bsky.social writes in @hsj.co.uk that the crisis in district nursing must be tackled or the neighbourhood health ambitions of the 10 Year Plan will fail. www.hsj.co.uk/workforce/ha...

NEW REPORT: Government plans to move more #NHS care into the community and out of hospitals won’t be achievable unless action is taken to address the problems facing #DistrictNursing. 👩‍⚕️ 📉 The supply of district nurses is plummeting while demand for care has risen. Read the report: buff.ly/gezemDJ

The latest study by the NIHR #RSET team explores how to best monitor and measure the effectiveness of peer-support schemes for social care in prisons in England and Wales. Read the paper and watch our video overview 👉 buff.ly/YaoIdCO

Since 2015, the number of GP partners in England has dropped by almost 25%. An article in The Telegraph (£ at buff.ly/9Frirfc) this week cites our briefing on the range of options that could be tested to find a solution. Read our analysis 👇

There are still fewer fully qualified GPs working in the NHS today than there were in 2016. But the trend is improving, and by June 2025 there were over a thousand more GPs in the workforce than at the same point in the previous year. Read more about trends in NHS staffing here: buff.ly/Xu3buxR

Vacancy rates for doctors and nurses have fallen over recent years - helped by use of temporary staff - but many posts remain vacant. This summer, the vacancy rate for nurses fell below that of doctors for the first time since this record began. Read more about NHS staffing trends: buff.ly/ed9ZKwK

Community services are under growing strain, with almost 1.2 million people waiting for care, and the steepest rise among children and young people. As neighbourhood health services are rolled out, addressing pressures on community care will be essential.

There is large variation in the number of patients per #GP across England. 👩‍⚕️ Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB has the highest number of patients per GP (2,664) when accounting for local population need. Explore more on our staffing tracker: buff.ly/Xu3buxR

EVENT: In December, Nuffield Trust and health and social care sector experts will gather for a half-day event in Westminster to explore how the NHS can deliver on its many priorities ↗️ The event is open to all and free to attend, with lunch provided. Sign up here: buff.ly/XRPe0aY

This week the government announced the renewal of England's Women's Health Strategy⚕️ It's much needed, as our #QualityWatch analysis shows that women face a disproportionate health burden, spending more of their working years in ill health than men.

Today the CQC has published the State of Care report – its yearly assessment of health and care services: www.cqc.org.uk/publications... The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) are once again identified as an area requiring urgent action

Nuffield Trust #socialcare expert @camille-oung.bsky.social has responded to today's State of Care report from the CQC. Read the full statement 👇

📢 We've just updated our #NHS staffing tracker 📊 It's the one-stop-shop for the latest statistics about the NHS workforce, including hospital and community services, general practice, and training and retention 👨‍⚕

What can we learn from public opinion on the #NHS? We’ve delved into the results of the #BritishSocialAttitudes survey to understand the factors that might be driving dissatisfaction with the health service – just a fifth of respondents were satisfied in 2024, a record low.

#NHS performance targets mostly focus on hospitals, but the waiting list for community services has also been growing and receives little attention. 📈 We've analysed the community services that adults and children are waiting to access 👉 buff.ly/cvTzV5t

The NHS in England is aiming to make some big shifts, including moving care closer to home. But what do you need to have in place first? 🧩 That's a question addressed by our study of how Denmark and Ireland have worked towards a shift from hospital to community. Read the report 👉 buff.ly/GgIOS1Z

There is extensive evidence that smoking in pregnancy can cause harm to mothers and their babies. The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy has decreased steadily over time, down to 6.1% in 2024/25, around the NHS England target. Read more about this #QualityWatch indicator, here: buff.ly/JqVHkTR

There are 1.2 million cases waiting to start treatment with NHS community services. But some services make up a larger proportion of the waiting list than others, and there has been substantial growth in some since 2022. Read our analysis for more detail: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/how...

We recommend that the UK government stands firm against any pressure for a weakening of controls on the price the #NHS pays for medicines, to ensure the best value for both the health service and the public. In their long read, @sallygainsbury.bsky.social and Huseyin Naci set out the reasons why.

Children, including those with developmental problems and disabilities, are facing unacceptably long waits for NHS community services, which are putting their life chances at risk, according to a @nuffieldtrust.org.uk report.

NEW ANALYSIS: Children are facing unacceptably long waits for NHS community services, with almost 1 in 4 on the list waiting for over a year, compared to 1 in 100 adults. Read the briefing: buff.ly/cvTzV5t #QualityWatch analysis with @healthfoundation.bsky.social

Our Deputy Director of Policy @natashacurry.bsky.social has shared her thoughts on what today's @skillsforcare.bsky.social 'State of the Sector and Workforce' report can tell us. It's positive that vacancies have fallen again, but the sector faces huge risks. Read 👉 buff.ly/ZN75BXX

Our research into #AssistedDying looks at nine countries where it is legal and reports on trends among those receiving an assisted death. We've analysed characteristics including place of death and the reported reason for choosing an assisted death. Read the report: buff.ly/rjGjZDC

Lack of awareness, inconsistent access, an overwhelming process, and a lasting impact on everyone involved – all problems with NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) highlighted in this article based on the experiences of people who have tried to access CHC👇

The government has been locked in a dispute with pharmaceutical companies over how much the #NHS pays for new branded medicines. 💊 Sally Gainsbury & Huseyin Naci set out the issues at stake and the role of price controls in balancing competing demands on the NHS budget. #bigpharma

The #NHS planned treatment waiting list increased for the third month in a row in July. 📈 Explore more of the latest data on our performance dashboard: buff.ly/m9Ec9NO

NEW STATS: Our #NHS performance dashboard sets out the latest data on planned and urgent care. 🏥 In September, a quarter of all patients waited longer than 4 hours in A&E. Read more: buff.ly/m9Ec9NO

We have urged the government to stand firm against pressure to increase drug prices, as an increase would mean less of the #NHS budget could be spent on other NHS services with wider health benefits, such as GP appointments and surgeries. Read more in @the-independent.com 👇 buff.ly/gA2PePU

🆕 With how much the NHS pays for new branded medicines in the news, @sallygainsbury.bsky.social & Huseyin Naci describe the role of price controls in balancing demands on the NHS budget – and why the government should stand firm in not weakening those controls. tinyurl.com/53xcpcbb

Exploring 15 jurisdictions across the world, this report is the most detailed look to date at lessons from other countries as the UK and Scottish Parliaments debate bills to legalise assisted dying and potentially set up assisted dying services. 🌍 #AssistedDying

In an article for Healthcare Manager, our #NHS workforce expert @lkrole.bsky.social reflects on what's needed for the NHS to nurture more homegrown talent, retain staff and equip them for a digital-first service over the next decade. 👩‍⚕️ buff.ly/Fg2Z80V

What could the implications be if #NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) - a package of NHS funded care - is not improved? @rachelhutchings.bsky.social's latest blog explains some concerning findings from her research on this poorly understood service. 👇 www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nh...

The new 10 Year Health Plan for England promises to shift more care from hospitals into the community, but history shows how hard this ambition is to deliver. Our research explores lessons from Denmark and Ireland, two countries pursuing bold reforms to rebalance care.

With #NHS satisfaction at a record low, how can the government win back the public’s confidence? ✅ Improving planned hospital care won’t be enough to restore satisfaction to its 2019 levels, but our analysis suggests it is a solid place to start.

Sharon Allen's mum is 92 and has advanced dementia, but her application for NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) funding was rejected. We interviewed Sharon about her difficult experiences of CHC in both a personal and professional capacity at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Our report about NHS continuing health care shines a light on the problems with a package of support that is relied upon and needed by many people. It shows a system under pressure, struggling to deliver fair, timely and sustainable support. Read our report and the accompanying blog and Q&A 👇

Our #socialcare expert @natashacurry.bsky.social has responded to today's news about the £500m funding for care worker pay. 💷 Read the full statement here: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nu...

@theasrstein.bsky.social warns that other countries haven't made a shift from hospital to community without investment, and we don't have the infrastructure that is ready for that shift at the moment. It's a very difficult equation to make it work with current resources.