Nuffield Trust
@nuffieldtrust.org.uk
We are an independent health think tank aiming to improve the quality of health care in the UK by providing evidence-based research & policy analysis.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Our Deputy Director of Research @sarahscobie.bsky.social spoke to BBC News about the prospect of improvements in waiting times for cancer treatment.
"The reality for the government is that it will be incredibly challenging to make meaningful progress on waiting times when finances are so tight."
"The reality for the government is that it will be incredibly challenging to make meaningful progress on waiting times when finances are so tight."
Nearly all NHS hospitals are missing cancer targets - is yours one of them?
Experts say patients are being harmed by cancer diagnosis and treatment delays.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Our Deputy Director of Research @sarahscobie.bsky.social spoke to BBC News about the prospect of improvements in waiting times for cancer treatment.
"The reality for the government is that it will be incredibly challenging to make meaningful progress on waiting times when finances are so tight."
"The reality for the government is that it will be incredibly challenging to make meaningful progress on waiting times when finances are so tight."
Our chief executive @theasrstein.bsky.social featured on the latest episode of #VoicesofCare.
Thea shared insights on big issues, like how to better understand NHS productivity and the cultural building blocks you need to make transformational change.
Listen to the interview with Thea 👇
Thea shared insights on big issues, like how to better understand NHS productivity and the cultural building blocks you need to make transformational change.
Listen to the interview with Thea 👇
Thea Stein Nuffield Trust CEO - Newcross Healthcare
In conversation with host Suhail Mirza, Stein delivered a frank assessment of the challenges facing the Government’s 10 Year Health,
www.newcrosshealthcare.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Our chief executive @theasrstein.bsky.social featured on the latest episode of #VoicesofCare.
Thea shared insights on big issues, like how to better understand NHS productivity and the cultural building blocks you need to make transformational change.
Listen to the interview with Thea 👇
Thea shared insights on big issues, like how to better understand NHS productivity and the cultural building blocks you need to make transformational change.
Listen to the interview with Thea 👇
The NHS sickness absence rate was 4.8% this April - similar to the previous year.
But that's still way above the public sector average, which has never crossed the 4% mark and was below 3% in 2024.
Read more about trends in NHS staffing, here: buff.ly/ed9ZKwK
But that's still way above the public sector average, which has never crossed the 4% mark and was below 3% in 2024.
Read more about trends in NHS staffing, here: buff.ly/ed9ZKwK
November 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The NHS sickness absence rate was 4.8% this April - similar to the previous year.
But that's still way above the public sector average, which has never crossed the 4% mark and was below 3% in 2024.
Read more about trends in NHS staffing, here: buff.ly/ed9ZKwK
But that's still way above the public sector average, which has never crossed the 4% mark and was below 3% in 2024.
Read more about trends in NHS staffing, here: buff.ly/ed9ZKwK
Mortality rates in England and Wales have now fallen below 2019 levels after rising during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more about this #QualityWatch indicator here 👉 buff.ly/O5IQiNv
Read more about this #QualityWatch indicator here 👉 buff.ly/O5IQiNv
November 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Mortality rates in England and Wales have now fallen below 2019 levels after rising during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more about this #QualityWatch indicator here 👉 buff.ly/O5IQiNv
Read more about this #QualityWatch indicator here 👉 buff.ly/O5IQiNv
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
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
November 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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
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
Read the report 👉 buff.ly/nIumuZh
November 7, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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
Read the report 👉 buff.ly/nIumuZh
Reposted by Nuffield Trust
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)
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
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
November 6, 2025 at 1:44 PM
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
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.
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.
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 10:28 AM
🆕 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.
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
It's free to attend and open to all.
Register here: buff.ly/UA73IZo
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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
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
Read the article from project leads @angusramsay.bsky.social and @profnaomifulop.bsky.social
👉 flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=6900e79403bc5#36
We based these questions on learning from our rapid evaluation of implementing #AI tools for chest diagnostics, as part of the work of the @nihr.bsky.social Rapid Service Evaluation Team - more details and links below.
bsky.app/profile/angu...
bsky.app/profile/angu...
I'm delighted to have led this paper, published today, with
@profnaomifulop.bsky.social and other members of NIHR RSET (www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/rset-rapid-e...). We provide important lessons on procurement and deployment of #AI tools in healthcare, including key obstacles and enablers.
@profnaomifulop.bsky.social and other members of NIHR RSET (www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/rset-rapid-e...). We provide important lessons on procurement and deployment of #AI tools in healthcare, including key obstacles and enablers.
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 AM
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
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.
Interview: ‘District nurse pay bands have been a fight for a long time’
#NHS #nursing #nursesky #QICN #communitynurse #nuffieldtrust
#NHS #nursing #nursesky #QICN #communitynurse #nuffieldtrust
Interview: ‘District nurse pay bands have been a fight for a long time’
Last week the Nuffield Trust published a report which found that over a quarter of district nurses are paid below Band 6
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
🆕 @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)
🔍 Explore the tracker here: buff.ly/RhqlSzD
But it’s about more than just the overall numbers… (1/2)
November 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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)
🔍 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
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
November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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
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
Reposted by Nuffield Trust
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. ⬇️
Westminster government’s ambitions to shift care from hospital to community will fail unless the district nursing workforce is rebuilt. ⬇️
RCN calls for investment as report reveals dire state of district-nursing | News | Royal College of Nursing
Westminster government’s ambitions to shift care from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention will fail unless district nursing workforce is rebuilt
bit.ly
November 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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. ⬇️
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
The event is open to all and free to attend, with lunch provided.
Sign up here: buff.ly/UA73IZo
November 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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
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...
Hands-on healthcare at home is in decline
District nursing is in crisis, with staff cuts threatening neighbourhood health and the 10-Year Health Plan's vision of community-based care, says Nuffield Trust CEO Thea Stein.
www.hsj.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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 supply of district nurses is plummeting while demand for care has risen. Read the report: buff.ly/gezemDJ
October 31, 2025 at 8:45 AM
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 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
Read the paper and watch our video overview 👉 buff.ly/YaoIdCO
October 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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
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 👇
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 👇
The partnership model in general practice predates the NHS. Is now the time to change it?
The partnership model in general practice in England has been in place since before the NHS was formed, but its future is uncertain. The number of GP partners has fallen significantly, and relatively…
buff.ly
October 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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 👇
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
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
October 28, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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
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
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
October 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
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
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.
As neighbourhood health services are rolled out, addressing pressures on community care will be essential.
How will waiting times in community health services affect the shift towards neighbourhood health?
Community services are under growing strain, with more than 1.1 million people waiting for care, and the steepest rise among children and young people. Focus to date has largely been on efforts to…
buff.ly
October 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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.
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
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
October 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
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
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
The event is open to all and free to attend, with lunch provided.
Sign up here: buff.ly/XRPe0aY
October 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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
The event is open to all and free to attend, with lunch provided.
Sign up here: buff.ly/XRPe0aY