1 in 5 working-age people have a health condition that limits their ability to work.   Our interactive feature explores the unique perspectives behind the statistics, highlighting barriers to work and the need for earlier support in the workplace⬇️ https://bit.ly/4p6wQOl

PODCAST: Earlier this year, @jenniferthf.bsky.social​ spoke to former Health Secretary Alan Milburn about the future of the NHS and the thinking behind the government’s 10-Year Health Plan. Listen now 🎧

Season's greetings from all at the Health Foundation. We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone we've worked with over the past year, as well as to everyone in the NHS, social care, public health and other key services.

Our general practice data dashboard brings together a range of data to provide a picture of the current health of general practice in England. It looks at issues from access and activity to continuity of care and patient experience. Explore it now ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4q9AYxU

PODCAST: Is the government’s 10-Year Health Plan the medicine the NHS needs? Earlier this year, former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt shared his thoughts with @jenniferthf.bsky.social​. Listen now 🎧

Ahead of the publication the Keep Britain Working Review earlier this year, our Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives called for a radical shift from late-stage intervention to early support to keep people in work ⬇️

Our analysis suggest only around a quarter of NHS trusts are on track to meet their target on elective waiting times. Francesca Cavallaro tells @hsj.co.uk​ this underscores the long journey ahead if the government is to achieve its goal. Read more (£-wall) ⬇️

Our research with PA Consulting found that the investment needed to digitise NHS and adult social care services across the UK will require an estimated £21bn over the next 5 years. Of this total figure, £14.75bn will be needed for England. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/42Ll0RM

As we head towards the end of 2025, we look back on some of our work this year, from convening international experts on the use of AI in health care to launching a new commission to help tackle faltering growth in NHS productivity. Explore 10 highlights from our work ⬇️

PODCAST: Is government rhetoric on reform matching reality? @rachelsylvester.bsky.social and @hughalderwick.bsky.social join @jenniferthf.bsky.social to look back at the year in health policy and politics. Listen now 🎧️ bit.ly/44ssOIG

📬 Our newsletter keeps you up to date on our latest reports, blogs, podcast episodes, events and more. Subscribe now ⬇️ https://bit.ly/44rF5xk

Our recent AI in the NHS event brought colleagues from health systems in Norway, Spain, Estonia and England to share learning on how different countries are approaching the deployment of AI in health care. We explore the themes that emerged. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3X3IiPc

From a new search function to filters for characteristics such as ethnicity, location and disability status, we've made improvements to our evidence hub on health inequalities. Explore data, insights and analysis on the building blocks of health, faster⬇️

The REAL Supply Research Unit, part of our REAL Centre, is looking for exceptional students to apply for two funded PhD opportunities to join the Centre for Health Economics @york.ac.uk​. The deadline is 30 January 2026. Find out more and apply ⬇️

Ensuring staff and patients have trust and confidence in digital scribe tools, and addressing their concerns, will be essential if their potential is to be realised. Lydia Ragoonanan​ and Ross Goldstone summarise insights from our recent workshop. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/485MKSv

Erik Mayer and Adnan Tufail, who took part in our recent AI in the NHS event, discuss how to implement AI solutions safely and effectively. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4o6VWMC

Responding to latest Urgent and Emergency Care Situation Reports @timgardnerthf.bsky.social​ says winter is often difficult for the NHS, but an early outbreak of seasonal flu and 5 days of industrial action risks heaping more pressure on overstretched services. Read more⬇️ https://bit.ly/49gM6mR

Delayed discharges from hospital are bad for patients, increasing the risk of infection, mobility loss and worse mental health. This new analysis looks at recent trends and explores why some trusts may have improved performance over others. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3MBSVqk

PODCAST: Is government rhetoric on reform matching reality? @rachelsylvester.bsky.social and @hughalderwick.bsky.social join @jenniferthf.bsky.social to look back at the year in health policy and politics. Listen now 🎧️ bit.ly/44ssOIG

Long A&E waits are usually the result of a lack of free hospital beds. With 11% (13,000) beds, each day, occupied by patients who are "medically fit for discharge", reducing delayed discharges offers the opportunity to create more capacity without adding more beds.

In the second season of our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast, our latest episode is looking at frailty and how improvement approaches can help redesign services for older people. Listen now 🎧️ https://bit.ly/48V8HnP

As the Employment Rights Bill returns to the Lords, @swjatwell.bsky.social​ says the government is right to maintain its commitment to extending statutory sick pay eligibility, but more action is needed to strengthen the UK's comparatively weak system. Read more⬇️ https://bit.ly/4oWmZdS

Our general practice data dashboard provides a picture of the current health of general practice in England. The latest update includes new indicators on trends in the average number of patients per GP, appointments per patient and total appointments by staff type. Explore ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4q9AYxU

Delayed discharges from hospital are bad for patients, increasing the risk of infection, mobility loss and worse mental health. This new analysis looks at recent trends and explores why some trusts may have improved performance over others. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4ptSSvh

Where we live can shape how long and how healthy our lives are, as illustrated by the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Our analysts, @freyatracey.bsky.social​ and Hannah Scully, explore the most recent deprivation data and patterns in England. Read their blog ⬇️ https://bit.ly/48YZHiE

National programmes will be key to the delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan, yet they can produce mixed results. @charlestallack.bsky.social​ introduces a new framework developed with @thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk​ and @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social​ to help policymakers lead change ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3MacDth

UPDATED: Analysis from the REAL Centre looks at how health care funding for England compares with historical levels and how it stacks up against what is needed to meet future pressures. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3Kzpa94

In the second season of our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast, our latest episode explores how improvement methods can support the move to a future neighbourhood health service. Listen now 🎧️ https://bit.ly/4qni5Zd

NEW: Cuts to non-health-related benefits caused increases in disability benefit claims, our new report finds. 📗 Jonathan Cribb, @heidikarj.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, Sam Ray-Chaudhuri and Tom Waters examine the impact of four cuts to benefits in the 2010s [THREAD:🧵]:

NEW PODCAST: Is government rhetoric on reform matching reality? @rachelsylvester.bsky.social and @hughalderwick.bsky.social join @jenniferthf.bsky.social to look back at the year in health policy and politics. Listen now 🎧️ bit.ly/44ssOIG

📬 Our redesigned newsletter keeps you up to date on our latest reports, blogs, podcast episodes, events and more. Subscribe now ⬇️ https://bit.ly/44rF5xk

Many of you will have seen our recent tribute to Professor Tim Draycott (1964–2025), a global leader in maternity safety whose work has saved countless lives. Today, we want to share how we at THIS Institute plan to ensure Tim’s vision lives on.

Responding to the latest NHS performance statistics, Francesca Cavallaro highlights that progress on waiting lists will be hard to make with winter pressures, the threat of further industrial action, and trusts struggling to deliver against tight financial plans. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/48xCaFn

Responding to the latest ONS life expectancy for local areas data, @jasonstrelitz.bsky.social​ says that regional inequalities remain entrenched, and stalling life expectancy reflects a long-term failure to improve the nation's health. Read more⬇️ https://bit.ly/4q5RHCq

Where we live can shape how long and how healthy our lives are, as illustrated by the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Our analysts, @freyatracey.bsky.social​ and Hannah Scully, explore the most recent deprivation data and patterns in England. Read their blog ⬇️ https://bit.ly/48YZHiE

UPDATED: Analysis from the REAL Centre looks at how health care funding for England compares with historical levels and how it stacks up against what is needed to meet future pressures. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3Kzpa94

Working with nine ICBs and their Health Innovation Networks, @innovationunit.bsky.social​ shares insights from our Accelerating Innovation Systems programme on how ICBs can accelerate the adoption of high-impact innovations. Join on 11 December, 10.30 ⬇️

The new Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) published in October has shown that the patterns of deprivation across England remain largely similar to previous iterations. (1/5)

The shift to prevention is possible. Assistant Director @jasonstrelitz.bsky.social​ (formerly of @newhamcouncil.bsky.social) explores opportunities to make prevention a reality. Read Jason's blog, originally published in Local Government Chronicle ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3MIzaxe

Our recent AI in the NHS event brought colleagues from health systems in Norway, Spain, Estonia and England to share learning on how different countries are approaching the deployment of AI in health care. We explore the themes that emerged. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3X3IiPc

Artificial intelligence is here and developing fast, with huge opportunities and potential risks for health and care. But how should we proceed? Our Chief Executive, @jenniferthf.bsky.social​, shares her reflections. Read the blog ⬇️ https://bit.ly/49sUjoM

Ensuring staff and patients have trust and confidence in digital scribe tools, and addressing their concerns, will be essential if their potential is to be realised. Lydia Ragoonanan​ and Ross Goldstone summarise insights from our recent workshop. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/485MKSv

National programmes will be key to the delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan, yet they can produce mixed results. @charlestallack.bsky.social​ introduces a new framework developed with @thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk​ and @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social​ to help policymakers lead change ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3MacDth

UPDATED: Analysis from the REAL Centre looks at how health care funding for England compares with historical levels and how it stacks up against what is needed to meet future pressures. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3Kzpa94

Erik Mayer and Adnan Tufail, who took part in our recent AI in the NHS event, discuss how to implement AI solutions safely and effectively. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4o6VWMC

The long-awaited Child Poverty Strategy marks progress but it must go further, says our Senior Economist Amrik Arshi. Read our full response to the new strategy ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3XBHpha

CLOSING SOON: The #NHSProductivity Commission want to hear from NHS leaders, front-line staff, business and industry experts, patients and the public. Submit your ideas on how productivity could be improved across hospital, primary and community care, and mental health ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4oHG9UY

CATCH UP: How can the NHS seize the AI opportunity? At this event, we heard international perspectives about how to capitalise on AI in health care and explore the critical steps for spreading #AIintheNHS. Watch the recording ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3Xc9YRR

How can ICBs embed innovation adoption throughout strategic commissioning? On 11 December, @innovationunit.bsky.social​ discusses how ICBs achieve this through real-life case studies and insights from our Accelerating Innovation Systems programme. Sign up ⬇️

In a week of good news on child poverty policy, here's new research on the impact of poverty on teenager's mental health + how strong family relationships can mitigate that.