Ellie Pearson-Martin
@elliemartin.bsky.social
Media and Public Affairs Manager at the Nuffield Trust but views here are my own! All things health and social care policy. 🔍📰
@nuffieldtrust.bsky.social
@nuffieldtrust.bsky.social
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
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)
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)
Plan B: What the forthcoming NHS workforce strategy should not ignore
As the government prepares to publish a new 10-year NHS workforce plan, questions remain about how to build a realistic and sustainable approach to staffing the health service. This long read by Lucin...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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)
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)
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Trump and pharma are lobbying gov hard to water-down the NHS’s ability to contain spending on new branded drugs. Today’s long read from me and the LSE’s Huseyin Naci sets out why the gov should hold firm to protect the health of the NHS and UK public nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th... >>
The tough choices at the heart of the government’s dispute with big pharma
The government has been locked in a dispute with pharmaceutical companies for a number of months over how much the NHS pays for new branded medicines. Sally Gainsbury and Huseyin Naci set out the issu...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Trump and pharma are lobbying gov hard to water-down the NHS’s ability to contain spending on new branded drugs. Today’s long read from me and the LSE’s Huseyin Naci sets out why the gov should hold firm to protect the health of the NHS and UK public nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th... >>
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
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
Read more in @the-independent.com 👇
buff.ly/gA2PePU
Trump pressure to hike UK drug prices could cost NHS billions, experts warn
Experts warn a new deal will only trigger further increased price demands and make healthcare in the UK more expensive
www.independent.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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
Read more in @the-independent.com 👇
buff.ly/gA2PePU
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
We'll be at Labour Party Conference next week, digging into the tricky questions and trade-offs at the heart of health policy.
Do join us if you can!
Do join us if you can!
How Can Labour Meet Voters' Clashing Demands On The NHS?
At our #Lab25 fringe with @thekingsfund.bsky.social, we'll explore insights from the British Social Attitudes Survey, the gold-standard for public opinion.
🗓️ Tuesday 30 September - 12-2pm - RIBA North
Register 👉 buff.ly/VROxxNj
At our #Lab25 fringe with @thekingsfund.bsky.social, we'll explore insights from the British Social Attitudes Survey, the gold-standard for public opinion.
🗓️ Tuesday 30 September - 12-2pm - RIBA North
Register 👉 buff.ly/VROxxNj
September 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
We'll be at Labour Party Conference next week, digging into the tricky questions and trade-offs at the heart of health policy.
Do join us if you can!
Do join us if you can!
We’re 2 weeks out from the Lords debate on #AssistedDying, so now is the time to start thinking in more detail about how this service would actually work if it becomes legal.
Great to have Nuffield Trust researchers out on the airwaves sharing insights from other countries today.
Great to have Nuffield Trust researchers out on the airwaves sharing insights from other countries today.
NEW REPORT: We present new evidence on who accesses #AssistedDying across 9 countries where it is legal, and lessons based on challenges other countries have had with resources, staffing, access and infrastructure for the service. 🌎
buff.ly/KCaVwEG
buff.ly/KCaVwEG
Assisted dying in practice: International experiences and implications for health and social care
Exploring 15 jurisdictions across the world, this is the most detailed look to date at what the UK can learn from other countries as the UK and Scottish Parliaments debate bills to legalise assisted…
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
August 29, 2025 at 9:06 AM
We’re 2 weeks out from the Lords debate on #AssistedDying, so now is the time to start thinking in more detail about how this service would actually work if it becomes legal.
Great to have Nuffield Trust researchers out on the airwaves sharing insights from other countries today.
Great to have Nuffield Trust researchers out on the airwaves sharing insights from other countries today.
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
NHS pays hospitals £33 per patient they remove from waiting lists. Thousands have been deleted. While this could be valid in most cases, there are fears it could lead to mistakes and the process lacks transparency:
www.thetimes.com/article/d718...
www.thetimes.com/article/d718...
NHS pays hospitals £33 for each patient removed from waiting list
A lack of data surrounding the incentives has raised fears that trusts are gaming the system to bring numbers down
www.thetimes.com
August 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
NHS pays hospitals £33 per patient they remove from waiting lists. Thousands have been deleted. While this could be valid in most cases, there are fears it could lead to mistakes and the process lacks transparency:
www.thetimes.com/article/d718...
www.thetimes.com/article/d718...
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Fourth time lucky?!
Why am I hopeful that this time, a promise of review might lead to actual change?
🧵👇
Why am I hopeful that this time, a promise of review might lead to actual change?
🧵👇
🆕 It’s good news that the government has promised to review the unfair GP funding formula. Read @becksfisher.bsky.social’s thoughts about this in @theguardian.com.
Our full statement on the announcement is here: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/gp...
Our full statement on the announcement is here: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/gp...
Poorest parts of England to get £2.2bn more for NHS to cut care inequalities
Deprived and coastal areas to get extra cash this year for staff and resources in effort to improve health outcomes
www.theguardian.com
June 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Fourth time lucky?!
Why am I hopeful that this time, a promise of review might lead to actual change?
🧵👇
Why am I hopeful that this time, a promise of review might lead to actual change?
🧵👇
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
The government has set the NHS’s budget for the next 3 years, now it needs to be realistic about its priorities - my comment piece in the BMJ:
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
Spending review leaves a greater need for clarity on healthcare priorities
The notion that the health service has emerged as a “winner” from the chancellor’s spending review is a bit like congratulating someone who has just won back the face value of a scratch card. It certa...
www.bmj.com
June 13, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The government has set the NHS’s budget for the next 3 years, now it needs to be realistic about its priorities - my comment piece in the BMJ:
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Proud of our small but mighty think tank @nuffieldtrust.org.uk today. Our remarks on the SR were put to Rachel Reeves on the Today programme today. And Wes Streeting starts his speech at #NHSConfedExpo by referencing our analysis with @thekingsfund of British Social Attitudes
June 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Proud of our small but mighty think tank @nuffieldtrust.org.uk today. Our remarks on the SR were put to Rachel Reeves on the Today programme today. And Wes Streeting starts his speech at #NHSConfedExpo by referencing our analysis with @thekingsfund of British Social Attitudes
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
The #NHS settlement from the #spendingreview may look generous, but it soon melts away in the context of existing commitments - govt must be clear about the compromises.
Social care is also unlikely to see the transformation we were promised.
@sallygainsbury.bsky.social response 👇
Social care is also unlikely to see the transformation we were promised.
@sallygainsbury.bsky.social response 👇
Nuffield Trust response to the Spending Review
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
June 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The #NHS settlement from the #spendingreview may look generous, but it soon melts away in the context of existing commitments - govt must be clear about the compromises.
Social care is also unlikely to see the transformation we were promised.
@sallygainsbury.bsky.social response 👇
Social care is also unlikely to see the transformation we were promised.
@sallygainsbury.bsky.social response 👇
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Resident doctor pay: How do different methods affect how pay changes appear? Thanks to @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social for their analysis in The Sunday Times this week: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/re...
Resident doctor pay: How do different methods affect how pay changes appear?
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
June 1, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Resident doctor pay: How do different methods affect how pay changes appear? Thanks to @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social for their analysis in The Sunday Times this week: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/re...
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Is 2m extra appointments enough? @sarahscobie.bsky.social says this "won't come close to bringing the treatment waiting list back to pre-pandemic levels, or to meeting longer-term NHS targets".
Tune in to Sky News at 1045 to hear @becksfisher.bsky.social discuss the waiting list.
Tune in to Sky News at 1045 to hear @becksfisher.bsky.social discuss the waiting list.
Labour say there's been a 'massive increase' in NHS appointments - this begs to differ
Keir Starmer made slashing NHS waiting times one of his priorities, and his Labour government has already claimed it as one of its biggest achievements so far. But new data tells a different story -…
buff.ly
May 23, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Is 2m extra appointments enough? @sarahscobie.bsky.social says this "won't come close to bringing the treatment waiting list back to pre-pandemic levels, or to meeting longer-term NHS targets".
Tune in to Sky News at 1045 to hear @becksfisher.bsky.social discuss the waiting list.
Tune in to Sky News at 1045 to hear @becksfisher.bsky.social discuss the waiting list.
Something to keep an eye on - district nurses will play an important role if ambitions to shift more care into the community are to be realised. But is enough being invested in this workforce?👇
More Nuffield Trust work coming on this soon!
More Nuffield Trust work coming on this soon!
NEW: In our chart of the week, @billypalmer.bsky.social explores the concerning decline of district nurses in England - at a time of increasing population need - and finds that over a quarter are paid at a lower band than could be expected.
See the chart 👇
buff.ly/cM67plU
See the chart 👇
buff.ly/cM67plU
May 20, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Something to keep an eye on - district nurses will play an important role if ambitions to shift more care into the community are to be realised. But is enough being invested in this workforce?👇
More Nuffield Trust work coming on this soon!
More Nuffield Trust work coming on this soon!
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Today the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be brought before MPs for amendments.
Our analysis of the international approaches to assisted dying brings important context to the debate.
Read the analysis here: buff.ly/KeuSXxp
Our analysis of the international approaches to assisted dying brings important context to the debate.
Read the analysis here: buff.ly/KeuSXxp
Diverging paths: How other countries have designed and implemented assisted dying
As the assisted dying Bill returns to the House of Commons next week, this in-depth analysis offers evidence from a wide range of contexts to further inform the debate. What can the UK learn from…
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
May 16, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Today the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be brought before MPs for amendments.
Our analysis of the international approaches to assisted dying brings important context to the debate.
Read the analysis here: buff.ly/KeuSXxp
Our analysis of the international approaches to assisted dying brings important context to the debate.
Read the analysis here: buff.ly/KeuSXxp
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Last week we warned about govt making sudden changes to immigration rules without a full assessment of the impact on health & care 👇 Now, ahead of the Immigration white paper, care employers may be facing a void: the end of overseas recruitment, higher ENICs, & no higher pay offer for domestic staff
The number of applications for Health and Care Worker visas has reached a record low since rules were changed in January 2024, with further changes made this March.
@ninahemmings.bsky.social told @the-independent.com that there has yet to be a proper assessment of the impacts.
buff.ly/NwC6EIw
@ninahemmings.bsky.social told @the-independent.com that there has yet to be a proper assessment of the impacts.
buff.ly/NwC6EIw
Care homes under threat as family visa crackdown blocks 100,000 workers
Exclusive: Government policy on migration which prevents care workers bringing children and spouses to the UK is stopping the flow of staff needed to care for NHS patients
www.independent.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Last week we warned about govt making sudden changes to immigration rules without a full assessment of the impact on health & care 👇 Now, ahead of the Immigration white paper, care employers may be facing a void: the end of overseas recruitment, higher ENICs, & no higher pay offer for domestic staff
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
NEW ANALYSIS explores how approaches to #AssistedDying vary internationally.
The Nuffield Trust holds a neutral position on the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK.
Our analysis reviews the evidence for jurisdictions where it has been implemented, to help inform debate.
🧵1/9
buff.ly/CTLXDjs
The Nuffield Trust holds a neutral position on the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK.
Our analysis reviews the evidence for jurisdictions where it has been implemented, to help inform debate.
🧵1/9
buff.ly/CTLXDjs
Diverging paths: How other countries have designed and implemented assisted dying
As the assisted dying Bill returns to the House of Commons next week, this in-depth analysis offers evidence from a wide range of contexts to further inform the debate. What can the UK learn from…
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
May 9, 2025 at 8:27 AM
NEW ANALYSIS explores how approaches to #AssistedDying vary internationally.
The Nuffield Trust holds a neutral position on the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK.
Our analysis reviews the evidence for jurisdictions where it has been implemented, to help inform debate.
🧵1/9
buff.ly/CTLXDjs
The Nuffield Trust holds a neutral position on the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK.
Our analysis reviews the evidence for jurisdictions where it has been implemented, to help inform debate.
🧵1/9
buff.ly/CTLXDjs
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
V useful thread ⬇️
The terms of reference for the Casey Review have been launched today, with a focus on building consensus over tangible recommendations to improve adult social care over the next ten years. A few takes from me and @cglobont.bsky.social .social & @natashacurry.bsky.social:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Independent commission into adult social care: terms of reference
www.gov.uk
May 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
V useful thread ⬇️
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Do Trump's tariffs pose a threat to UK medicine supplies? Does signing a deal risk reviving the worrying measures the USA pushed for in his first term? I'm saying it's a yes to both, but the situation is controllable with the right actions www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wh...
What do Trump's tariffs and US-UK trade negotiations mean for the NHS?
With global headlines still dominated by the latest news on tariffs, discussions about a possible US-UK trade deal have also received media attention. But what could the tariffs and transatlantic trad...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
April 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Do Trump's tariffs pose a threat to UK medicine supplies? Does signing a deal risk reviving the worrying measures the USA pushed for in his first term? I'm saying it's a yes to both, but the situation is controllable with the right actions www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wh...
Really interesting morning at this @mja-uk.bsky.social event featuring Sally Gainsbury from @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social.
If you want to hear more about prioritising healthcare based on inequalities, give this #MoralMaze episode a listen: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
If you want to hear more about prioritising healthcare based on inequalities, give this #MoralMaze episode a listen: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
April 25, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Really interesting morning at this @mja-uk.bsky.social event featuring Sally Gainsbury from @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social.
If you want to hear more about prioritising healthcare based on inequalities, give this #MoralMaze episode a listen: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
If you want to hear more about prioritising healthcare based on inequalities, give this #MoralMaze episode a listen: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Tune in to BBC Radio 4 tonight at 8pm for a new episode of #MoralMaze recorded at our Summit last month. 📻
Guests debate the ethical purpose of the #NHS. Should we care more about equality of outcome – being equally healthy – or equality of access – treating everyone the same?
Guests debate the ethical purpose of the #NHS. Should we care more about equality of outcome – being equally healthy – or equality of access – treating everyone the same?
BBC Radio 4 - Moral Maze, What is the ethical purpose of the NHS?
Debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories.
buff.ly
April 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Tune in to BBC Radio 4 tonight at 8pm for a new episode of #MoralMaze recorded at our Summit last month. 📻
Guests debate the ethical purpose of the #NHS. Should we care more about equality of outcome – being equally healthy – or equality of access – treating everyone the same?
Guests debate the ethical purpose of the #NHS. Should we care more about equality of outcome – being equally healthy – or equality of access – treating everyone the same?
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
What do people think about the #NHS? Our analysis of the #BritishSocialAttitudes survey with @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows satisfaction is at a record low, but it also reveals much more.
Read report: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/pub...
@markgdayan.bsky.social explores 👇
Read report: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/pub...
@markgdayan.bsky.social explores 👇
April 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM
What do people think about the #NHS? Our analysis of the #BritishSocialAttitudes survey with @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows satisfaction is at a record low, but it also reveals much more.
Read report: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/pub...
@markgdayan.bsky.social explores 👇
Read report: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/pub...
@markgdayan.bsky.social explores 👇
It’s been a pleasure working with talented @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social & @thekingsfund.bsky.social researchers to launch this project. 👏
Lots of really interesting findings on public perceptions of the #NHS this year - the figures on A&E services are particularly striking.
Lots of really interesting findings on public perceptions of the #NHS this year - the figures on A&E services are particularly striking.
🆕 Just 1 in 5 people in 2024 said they were satisfied with the NHS according to our analysis of the @natcen.bsky.social #BritishSocialAttitudes survey with @thekingsfund.bsky.social
Read report: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/pub...
@markgdayan.bsky.social explains more 👇 [1/5]
Read report: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/pub...
@markgdayan.bsky.social explains more 👇 [1/5]
April 2, 2025 at 8:02 AM
It’s been a pleasure working with talented @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social & @thekingsfund.bsky.social researchers to launch this project. 👏
Lots of really interesting findings on public perceptions of the #NHS this year - the figures on A&E services are particularly striking.
Lots of really interesting findings on public perceptions of the #NHS this year - the figures on A&E services are particularly striking.
Reposted by Ellie Pearson-Martin
Drug shortages have been affecting people around the country but haven't really reached Westminster as a story. A big issue unlikely to go away any time soon - complex supply chains providing an ever greater number of drugs will always have vulnerabilities. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Brexit a key factor in worst UK medicine shortages in four years, report says
Nuffield Trust says supply chains have shifted, with medicines for epilepsy and cystic fibrosis among those now scarce
www.theguardian.com
March 22, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Drug shortages have been affecting people around the country but haven't really reached Westminster as a story. A big issue unlikely to go away any time soon - complex supply chains providing an ever greater number of drugs will always have vulnerabilities. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Important findings about medicine shortages from new @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social research covered by the Guardian today 👇
Brexit a key factor in worst UK medicine shortages in four years, report says
Brexit a key factor in worst UK medicine shortages in four years, report says
Nuffield Trust says supply chains have shifted, with drugs for epilepsy and cystic fibrosis among those now scarce
Drug shortages in the UK have risen to their worst level for four years, official figures show, with Brexit considered a key reason so many medications are scarce.
Drug companies notified the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about disruptions to supply 1,938 times during last year – the highest number since the 1,967 seen in 2021. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
March 22, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Important findings about medicine shortages from new @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social research covered by the Guardian today 👇
New research on health in the UK after #Brexit covered in the Guardian today.
Red list recruitment is still on the rise since recruiting NHS staff from the EU became more difficult. 👇
Red list recruitment is still on the rise since recruiting NHS staff from the EU became more difficult. 👇
Red list recruitment "is difficult to justify ethically for a still much wealthier country," says report author @markgdayan.bsky.social.
“British failure to train enough healthcare staff has been bailed out by those trained overseas.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
“British failure to train enough healthcare staff has been bailed out by those trained overseas.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Post-Brexit reliance on NHS staff from ‘red list’ countries is unethical, Streeting says
Exclusive: NHS England has dramatically increased recruitment of workers from states with critical medical staff shortages
www.theguardian.com
March 21, 2025 at 11:35 AM
New research on health in the UK after #Brexit covered in the Guardian today.
Red list recruitment is still on the rise since recruiting NHS staff from the EU became more difficult. 👇
Red list recruitment is still on the rise since recruiting NHS staff from the EU became more difficult. 👇