The need to wait for health care has been a feature of the NHS since its inception. When Labour came to power in 1997, total numbers of patients waiting stood at 1.3 million: the highest since the NHS began in 1948. The government announced its 'war on waiting' and pledged ...
This is one of a series of case studies exploring how individuals living in London have used the King's Fund Millennium Awards scheme to make a real difference to the health of others in their communities. While working at a west London community centre, Imo Akpan recognised a reluctance among ...
This report reveals that two-thirds of the PCTs responding to the survey had not yet carried out any assessment to identify patients who might need support in making choices about which hospital to go to. A similar proportion had not commissioned any new services to support the introduction of patient ...
Local accountability has been a significant policy issue within the NHS generally. However, primary care trusts are in the main accountable to the centre and there have been calls to review this. This paper discusses a range of options for reforming the relationships between PCTs and their public. It explores ...
This report identifies the key values relevant to public health policy and outlines the potential conflict and synergies between these values. It sets the scene for the 'Public Health and Public Values' project at the King's Fund. The project aims to engage Londoners in a public debate about how public ...
This discussion paper examines psychosocial provision in the community for dying people, and argues that the new-found commissioning powers of primary care trusts (PCTs) are the key to unlocking better, more integrated care. PCTs are now in the position to: strengthen clinical governance within the new N.I.C.E. guidelines; improve education ...
This is one of a series of papers being produced in 2002/03 as part of the King's Fund Mental Health Inquiry. The Inquiry aims to assess whether London mental health and mental health services have improved over the last five years. In 1997 the King's Fund produced a report entitled ... and Effective promotion of mental health and well being encompasses coordinated activities for communities, families and individuals. However, little is known about the current state of mental health and well being promotion in London. This paper seeks to fill that gap, drawing evidence from three 'case study' projects promoting mental health ...
This paper provides a commentary on the progress being made by the NHS and local government as they work together to improve services for older people and people with long-term illness or disability. The views expressed are those of the King's Fund, drawing on discussions in an expert group convened ...