🧵 NEW: Our analysis, which draws on the NHS monthly performance data released yesterday, shows that the NHS has met its headline interim target of 65% of elective care waits within 18 weeks but has fallen short on four other key targets set for March 2026 ⬇️

Where next for integrated care systems? Based on interviews with senior leaders across four ICSs, this new research explores the development of ICSs, their evolving role under Labour and the policy changes needed to deliver on national priorities. Learn more ⬇️

Our latest survey completed with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social​ tracking the UK public’s views on the NHS and social care shows nearly half of the public (48%) delayed or avoided contacting their GP practice about a health concern in the previous 12 months. Read more findings 👇 https://bit.ly/4tTv1ru

Over 12 hour trolley waits in A&E were a rarity 10 years ago, but numbers have increased dramatically post-pandemic and are set to hit new records in 2025. The problem hasn't received nearly enough attention, so good to see this being put on the political agenda.

Rachel Reeves’ speech today ahead of the Budget hailed the government’s success in cutting the waiting list by 200,000 – but is this progress enough to reach their target of 92% waits ≤18 weeks by 2029? Our projections show, if trends continue, they would fall short of this target: bit.ly/4nUuzFT

The Labour government’s most prominent commitment on health is to get waiting times back to 18 weeks by the end of the Parliament. Are they on track? We looked at this for last night’s Peston show youtu.be/yc-9Psk3gk8?... 🧵

It’s a critical time to be shaping the future of health policy. This job puts you right at the heart of the Health Foundation’s influencing work. Get involved.

New urgent and emergency care recovery plan published by NHS England today. Some welcome measures, including a focus on reducing very long waits in A&E, improving flow within hospitals and a commitment to more transparency, including publishing data on corridor care.

Causes of low flu (and Covid-19) vaccination coverage among frontline NHS workers last winter urgently need to be understood. Addressing low uptake not a silver bullet for preventing winter crises, but could help to reduce risk. As flagged in recent @healthfoundation.bsky.social analysis.

General practice in England is facing significant pressure. Despite record numbers of appointments, more GPs are still needed, especially in deprived areas, where need is the greatest. Explore our updated general practice data dashboard ⬇️ buff.ly/TZa6pum

What does the new GP contract for 2025/26 really mean for patients and GPs? Great round up by @jaketreenotsea.bsky.social of what's included, the significance of the new agreement and what needs to happen next.

📣📣📣 Absolutely fabulous job opportunity @healthfoundation.bsky.social for a Public Health Consultant with the drive to improve health and reduce inequalities through transforming prevention policy - in its broadest sense - across the UK! Please share ☺️ lde.tbe.taleo.net/lde01/ats/ca...

We want to hear from potential, current or (fairly recent) ex-civil service fast streamers! Please take a few minutes to fill in our survey ⬇️

The govt confirms councils' core spending will rise by 6.8% in 2025/26, compared w/ 6% previously announced, helping fund some vital services supporting good health. But given long-term underfunding & social care pressures councils will still turn to cuts & council tax rises to stabilise finances🧵

Good morning

DHSC's now responded to the @houseoflords.parliament.uk 'Recipe for Health' report on how to fix our food system The response includes: -a new food strategy to come from Defra -recognition that it needs a cross-gov approach -industry to remain v much part of the solution www.gov.uk/government/p...

Another week where the #NHS and #Winter has been less in the news, but latest week of data from NHS England suggests things continue to be very tough. Short 🧵 on the main points...

Yes, countries use different mechanisms to fund health care. And yes, this stuff is fascinating to policy wonks. But does it shape health outcomes more than (say) differences in how much is spent, numbers of staff or how services are delivered? No. Great stuff by @sjanereed.bsky.social here.

Want to see how the #NHS in England is doing at a glance? The new #QualityWatch NHS Performance Dashboard shows key NHS performance data via accessible, visually striking charts and comparative statistics 👇 www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/qualitywatch...

New social care commission, new public polling from @healthfoundation.bsky.social @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social... Should the government prioritise cross-party consensus on social care reform or press ahead with delivering reform ASAP? We found the public are split on the right approach.

Less in the news this week about #winter and the #NHS, but yesterday saw a fresh set of data from NHS England. Short 🧵 on the main points. @healthfoundation.bsky.social

New social care commission, new public polling from @healthfoundation.bsky.social @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social... Should the government prioritise cross-party consensus on social care reform or press ahead with delivering reform ASAP? We found the public are split on the right approach.

For over a decade, #QualityWatch has been tracking and visualising #NHS data, allowing us to see how policies, interventions and events affect performance. The new NHS performance dashboard looks great! @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social @healthfoundation.bsky.social

Less in the news this week about #winter and the #NHS, but yesterday saw a fresh set of data from NHS England. Short 🧵 on the main points. @healthfoundation.bsky.social

Our research team are in Parliament today, as part of @senseaboutsci.bsky.social #EvidenceWeek. We are showcasing the new #QualityWatch NHS Performance Dashboard to MPs, and talking to them about health care access and waiting times in their constituencies.

ONS estimates of effect of long A&E waits on chance of dying within 30 days. Those waiting >12 hrs had twice the chance of dying than those waiting 2 hrs. From Apr-Dec 2024 1.2 million people waited more than 12 hrs. Association rather than causation but still powerful evidence.

Yesterday's NHS data showed major operational difficulties continuing last week. Full @healthfoundation.bsky.social response is below, plus a few extra thoughts. 🧵

Our new @healthfoundation.bsky.social analysis assesses how realistic the govt's 18 week elective target is. www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...

New @rcn.org.uk report on corridor care brings the harrowing experiences facing some patients and staff in NHS hospitals this winter into focus. Read our blog from last winter exploring how increased frequency of corridor care affects patient safety and NHS staff morale 👇 https://buff.ly/3C7oOSV

Today MPs are debating the impact of food and diet on obesity. This follows the landmark @houseoflords.parliament.uk report last year. There’s no silver bullet - any approach will need both strong regulatory action as well as individual support. 1/ committees.parliament.uk/committee/69...

With ‘corridor care’ back in the news, worth revisiting this piece by Heather Wilson and @mrsbosanquet.bsky.social about the impact on patients and #NHS staff. @healthfoundation.bsky.social

Many, many, many things have been tried in trying to improve access to general practice. @thisinstitute.bsky.social and @healthfoundation.bsky.social have curated those efforts: bjgpopen.org/content/earl...

With many hospitals declaring 'critical incidents' this week due to extreme pressure, how does this winter in the #NHS compare with previous years? What's changed since last month? View the stats on our #QualityWatch dashboard, including A&E waits. 👇 https://buff.ly/425prH1

🧵 on the latest #NHS performance & #Winter stats, following yesterday's data dump from NHS England. TL:DR - pressures ramped up around new year & set to continue into January, despite first signs that flu might have peaked. ICYMI here's our full response @healthfoundation.bsky.social 1/

We’re celebrating our 50th episode of the Health Foundation’s monthly podcast, with a look back at the most listened to episodes over the last four years. Revisit our top five most popular podcasts ⬇️ https://buff.ly/4fNMJEH

Interested in GP Funding? Do join the debate www.nhsconfed.org/events/faire...

With all the excitement around #AI, what might it mean for our health? In our fifth #REALChallenge lecture, @hetanshah.bsky.social will warn of the risk of rushing breathlessly to unleash technology. Chaired by Anita Charlesworth. #AIHealthcare https://buff.ly/4j5xhq7

With new NHS elective reform plans, we're sharing the common themes found across our Q Exchange projects in approaches to improving equity while tackling delays across a huge range of patients and conditions. Read more: q.health.org.uk/evidence-and...

If you're thinking of applying for a Masters in Public Health & have experience of inequality, consider applying for the IMPACT Scholarship at UCL. Happy to answer any questions you have! www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology...

The government's elective care recovery plan will incentivise improvements in waiting times by giving extra capital to the fastest improvers. Some initial thoughts based on another, recent NHS capital for performance scheme. on.ft.com/3W6JIs6

How did NHS hospitals fare with winter pressures over the Christmas period? A short thread summing up today's NHS England release of the last fortnight's situation report data.

There's certainly scope for the new commission on adult social care to do some good and useful work, as past reviews have done previously. But, as ever, turning good recommendations into meaningful change depends on political will and a commitment to long-term funding.

In this piece, BBC News highlights our #QualityWatch work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social which tracks #cancer survival rates in the UK and how they compare with other countries. The UK continues to lag behind. 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

New analysis finds that, since 2021/22, the NHS maintenance backlog has grown by £2.1bn. Over the same period, investment to reduce the backlog fell by £707m in real terms, contributing to this growth. Read the full analysis 👇 https://buff.ly/3Dql3Z3

Looking for something to read before wrapping-up for Christmas? Check out this blog from Francesca (not on Bluesky yet) on what we can learn by comparing hospital admissions for mental health conditions in England vs peer countries. www.health.org.uk/features-and...

Excellent thread from @jleggat.bsky.social unpicking yesterday's local gov finance settlement. The 2025/26 public health grant wasn't announcement, with details of the allocation now expected in Jan. Knowing grant details early is essential for councils to plan services, 1/

Come and work with me and my colleagues on an exciting project with the Health Foundation around modelling multimorbidity Research Fellow (Epidemiology & Data Science) Public Health, Policy & Systems Grade 8 £46,485 - £58,596 pa 07-Jan-2025 23:30 my.corehr.com/pls/ulivrecr...

Quick roundup of #NHS winter weekly situation report data from w/e 15 December. Hospital capacity still under pressure, with adult G&A bed occupancy averaging 95.2% - slightly below the same week in 2023/24 and 2022/23.

Three points: 1. Changing from a tax-based system to one based on social insurance would be incredibly complex and very expensive.