Rowan Dennison
@rowandennison.bsky.social
Deputy Director of Communications at Nuffield Trust, a health and social care think tank. I live in Bristol. Mostly talking health policy or politics here, but music nerdery or nature gawkery also warmly welcomed
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
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 Rowan Dennison
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
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
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.
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
Today the CQC has published the State of Care report – its yearly assessment of health and care services: www.cqc.org.uk/publications... The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) are once again identified as an area requiring urgent action
The state of health care and adult social care in England 2024/25 - Care Quality Commission
This report sets out our assessment of the state of health care and adult social care in England in 2024/25.
www.cqc.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Today the CQC has published the State of Care report – its yearly assessment of health and care services: www.cqc.org.uk/publications... The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) are once again identified as an area requiring urgent action
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
NEW ANALYSIS: Children are facing unacceptably long waits for NHS community services, with almost 1 in 4 on the list waiting for over a year, compared to 1 in 100 adults.
Read the briefing: buff.ly/cvTzV5t
#QualityWatch analysis with @healthfoundation.bsky.social
Read the briefing: buff.ly/cvTzV5t
#QualityWatch analysis with @healthfoundation.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
NEW ANALYSIS: Children are facing unacceptably long waits for NHS community services, with almost 1 in 4 on the list waiting for over a year, compared to 1 in 100 adults.
Read the briefing: buff.ly/cvTzV5t
#QualityWatch analysis with @healthfoundation.bsky.social
Read the briefing: buff.ly/cvTzV5t
#QualityWatch analysis with @healthfoundation.bsky.social
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
🆕 With how much the NHS pays for new branded medicines in the news, @sallygainsbury.bsky.social & Huseyin Naci describe the role of price controls in balancing demands on the NHS budget – and why the government should stand firm in not weakening those controls. tinyurl.com/53xcpcbb
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...
tinyurl.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
🆕 With how much the NHS pays for new branded medicines in the news, @sallygainsbury.bsky.social & Huseyin Naci describe the role of price controls in balancing demands on the NHS budget – and why the government should stand firm in not weakening those controls. tinyurl.com/53xcpcbb
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
NEW REPORT: We reveal how NHS continuing health care (CHC) is failing to reach some of the most unwell patients in England in their time of need, while reinforcing deep regional inequalities.
The research is part-funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
Read the report 👇
The research is part-funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
Read the report 👇
All or nothing? Access and variation in NHS continuing health care
NHS continuing health care provides funded health and social care support for people with very complex needs outside hospital. Yet our comprehensive new report shows this system is highly inconsistent...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 8:03 AM
NEW REPORT: We reveal how NHS continuing health care (CHC) is failing to reach some of the most unwell patients in England in their time of need, while reinforcing deep regional inequalities.
The research is part-funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
Read the report 👇
The research is part-funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
Read the report 👇
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
🆕 As we launch our new report on NHS continuing health care, read this Q&A with Sharon Allen, CEO of @arthurrankhospice.bsky.social
Sharon has personal and professional experience of CHC, which she calls an extremely adversarial system.
Read the article 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nh...
Sharon has personal and professional experience of CHC, which she calls an extremely adversarial system.
Read the article 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nh...
NHS continuing health care: a Q&A with Sharon Allen
As we today publish our new research on NHS continuing health care (CHC), in this Q&A we speak to Sharon Allen OBE, who is the Chief Executive of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. Sharon has experience...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
🆕 As we launch our new report on NHS continuing health care, read this Q&A with Sharon Allen, CEO of @arthurrankhospice.bsky.social
Sharon has personal and professional experience of CHC, which she calls an extremely adversarial system.
Read the article 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nh...
Sharon has personal and professional experience of CHC, which she calls an extremely adversarial system.
Read the article 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nh...
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
🆕 #RSET paper finds #AI diagnostic tools might not be a silver bullet for health care service pressures.
AI tools can offer valuable support, but can be hard to implement.
The paper identifies important lessons to help future implementation.
@nihr.bsky.social funded with @ucl.ac.uk @cam.ac.uk
AI tools can offer valuable support, but can be hard to implement.
The paper identifies important lessons to help future implementation.
@nihr.bsky.social funded with @ucl.ac.uk @cam.ac.uk
Procurement and early deployment of artificial intelligence tools for chest diagnostics in NHS services in England: a rapid, mixed method evaluation
Skip to main content
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
September 11, 2025 at 10:22 AM
🆕 #RSET paper finds #AI diagnostic tools might not be a silver bullet for health care service pressures.
AI tools can offer valuable support, but can be hard to implement.
The paper identifies important lessons to help future implementation.
@nihr.bsky.social funded with @ucl.ac.uk @cam.ac.uk
AI tools can offer valuable support, but can be hard to implement.
The paper identifies important lessons to help future implementation.
@nihr.bsky.social funded with @ucl.ac.uk @cam.ac.uk
With bills advancing through parliaments it seems increasingly possible assisted dying will become legal in UK. Our systems need to be well prepared to deliver a complex service. Essential new @nuffieldtrust.org.uk research sets out the challenges other countries have faced putting AD into practice
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 10:37 AM
With bills advancing through parliaments it seems increasingly possible assisted dying will become legal in UK. Our systems need to be well prepared to deliver a complex service. Essential new @nuffieldtrust.org.uk research sets out the challenges other countries have faced putting AD into practice
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
Do you have a track record of producing top quality research and policy analysis? Do you have a detailed understanding of health policy and its political context?
Take a look at our Senior Fellow vacancy and apply by 31 August. #researchjobs
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/job/senior-f...
Take a look at our Senior Fellow vacancy and apply by 31 August. #researchjobs
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/job/senior-f...
Senior Fellow (SF05/25)
We are looking to recruit a Senior Fellow to lead on projects across a range of topics within health and care.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
August 21, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Do you have a track record of producing top quality research and policy analysis? Do you have a detailed understanding of health policy and its political context?
Take a look at our Senior Fellow vacancy and apply by 31 August. #researchjobs
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/job/senior-f...
Take a look at our Senior Fellow vacancy and apply by 31 August. #researchjobs
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/job/senior-f...
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
NEW BLOG: @becksfisher.bsky.social says the NHS 10 Year Plan is rightly ambitious and has much to like. But plans are judged on their delivery and this one’s undoing could be the disconnect between the scale of ambition and the funding available. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wi...
Will the scale of ambition scupper delivery of the 10 Year Plan?
With the NHS 10 Year Plan now published, Becks Fisher says the plan is rightly ambitious and contains much to like. But plans should be judged on their delivery, and this one’s undoing could be whether there’s enough funding to meet the scale of its ambitions.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
July 3, 2025 at 10:57 AM
NEW BLOG: @becksfisher.bsky.social says the NHS 10 Year Plan is rightly ambitious and has much to like. But plans are judged on their delivery and this one’s undoing could be the disconnect between the scale of ambition and the funding available. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wi...
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
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 Rowan Dennison
To find out more about why the current ‘Carr-Hill’ #GP funding formula is deeply flawed, read our briefing.
GP surgeries serving deprived parts of England receive on average 9.8% less funding than practices in more affluent areas when you account for the needs of the local population. 💷
GP surgeries serving deprived parts of England receive on average 9.8% less funding than practices in more affluent areas when you account for the needs of the local population. 💷
Fairer funding for general practice in England: what’s the problem, why is it so hard to fix, and what should the government do?
General practice funding is inequitable: the Carr-Hill formula, which decides the distribution of funding, is outdated and fails to take account of socioeconomic deprivation. This briefing, produced i...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
June 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM
To find out more about why the current ‘Carr-Hill’ #GP funding formula is deeply flawed, read our briefing.
GP surgeries serving deprived parts of England receive on average 9.8% less funding than practices in more affluent areas when you account for the needs of the local population. 💷
GP surgeries serving deprived parts of England receive on average 9.8% less funding than practices in more affluent areas when you account for the needs of the local population. 💷
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
Today's vote means assisted dying is likely for England & Wales. It is time to answer the hard questions about how to address concerns through its implementation - and face the gaps in end of life care MPs highlighted
Reaction of @sarahscobie.bsky.social 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/no...
Reaction of @sarahscobie.bsky.social 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/no...
Now assisted dying is likely to become reality, the debate on how it happens begins: Nuffield Trust responds to the passing of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Now that assisted dying is likely to become a reality in England and Wales, the debate on how that happens must begin: what organisations and staff will deliver it, what systems will be needed to ensu...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
June 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Today's vote means assisted dying is likely for England & Wales. It is time to answer the hard questions about how to address concerns through its implementation - and face the gaps in end of life care MPs highlighted
Reaction of @sarahscobie.bsky.social 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/no...
Reaction of @sarahscobie.bsky.social 👇
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/no...
Does anyone have a more comprehensive understanding of NHS finances and the various calls on health budgets than @sallygainsbury.bsky.social? Latest analysis shows how all of the 'extra' money the NHS was given last year is simply eaten up by inflation, changing population needs and govt commitments
🚨 NEW ANALYSIS finds the #NHS in a challenging financial position ahead of next week's Spending Review, with the £22.6bn in extra money up to the end of this year more than wiped out by existing spending pressures.
Read the briefing: buff.ly/Op94JUB
Read the briefing: buff.ly/Op94JUB
June 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Does anyone have a more comprehensive understanding of NHS finances and the various calls on health budgets than @sallygainsbury.bsky.social? Latest analysis shows how all of the 'extra' money the NHS was given last year is simply eaten up by inflation, changing population needs and govt commitments
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
NEW BLOG: With hopes for the impact of #AI on health care remaining as strong as ever, the NIHR #RSET team have been exploring the role of AI in #radiology diagnostics.
Emma Dodsworth and Rachel Lawrence describe the three findings from the work that stood out the most. 👇
buff.ly/dMwTGyA
Emma Dodsworth and Rachel Lawrence describe the three findings from the work that stood out the most. 👇
buff.ly/dMwTGyA
Curb your enthusiasm: what does the evidence tell us about using AI in radiology diagnostics?
With hopes for the far-reaching impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on health care remaining as strong as ever, the NIHR Rapid Service Evaluation Team have conducted a review of the literature on…
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
May 13, 2025 at 11:52 AM
NEW BLOG: With hopes for the impact of #AI on health care remaining as strong as ever, the NIHR #RSET team have been exploring the role of AI in #radiology diagnostics.
Emma Dodsworth and Rachel Lawrence describe the three findings from the work that stood out the most. 👇
buff.ly/dMwTGyA
Emma Dodsworth and Rachel Lawrence describe the three findings from the work that stood out the most. 👇
buff.ly/dMwTGyA
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
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 Rowan Dennison
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 1:13 PM
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...
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
Almost 1 million people in the UK were estimated to be living with dementia in 2024, but just under 500k have a formal diagnosis. At 62%, women over 65 account for the majority of diagnoses.
Figures on dementia diagnoses and care are tracked as part of our #QualityWatch programme: buff.ly/aemz7Yd
Figures on dementia diagnoses and care are tracked as part of our #QualityWatch programme: buff.ly/aemz7Yd
April 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Almost 1 million people in the UK were estimated to be living with dementia in 2024, but just under 500k have a formal diagnosis. At 62%, women over 65 account for the majority of diagnoses.
Figures on dementia diagnoses and care are tracked as part of our #QualityWatch programme: buff.ly/aemz7Yd
Figures on dementia diagnoses and care are tracked as part of our #QualityWatch programme: buff.ly/aemz7Yd
GP has changed in recent yrs through a scheme incentivising practices to take on physios, physician associates, advanced practitioners + other roles. @rebeccabest.bsky.social & colleagues looked at experience of staff joining & supervision/support being offered to them. It's hugely variable.
Our long read on the supervision of clinicians in the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme finds a wide range of clinical experience among those entering the scheme and huge variability in the amount and quality of support being offered. #ARRS
buff.ly/Y20TOBC
buff.ly/Y20TOBC
Supervision of clinicians in the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme: what more is needed to assure safety and quality?
Since its introduction in 2019, the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme has led to significant changes in the skill mix of the general practice workforce, with a rapid increase in roles such as…
buff.ly
April 24, 2025 at 8:49 AM
GP has changed in recent yrs through a scheme incentivising practices to take on physios, physician associates, advanced practitioners + other roles. @rebeccabest.bsky.social & colleagues looked at experience of staff joining & supervision/support being offered to them. It's hugely variable.
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
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 Rowan Dennison
🆕 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 7:47 AM
🆕 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]
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
🚨 NEW BLOG: #NHSEngland is being scrapped, but the reasons for its rise and fall are not going away.
@markgdayan.bsky.social & @leonoramerry.bsky.social look at how far things have changed since NHSE was created 12 years ago.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th...
@markgdayan.bsky.social & @leonoramerry.bsky.social look at how far things have changed since NHSE was created 12 years ago.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th...
The reasons for NHS England's rise and fall are not going away
With the news today that NHS England will be abolished, Mark Dayan and Leonora Merry look at how far things have changed since NHSE was created 12 years ago.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
March 13, 2025 at 1:37 PM
🚨 NEW BLOG: #NHSEngland is being scrapped, but the reasons for its rise and fall are not going away.
@markgdayan.bsky.social & @leonoramerry.bsky.social look at how far things have changed since NHSE was created 12 years ago.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th...
@markgdayan.bsky.social & @leonoramerry.bsky.social look at how far things have changed since NHSE was created 12 years ago.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th...
Reposted by Rowan Dennison
The coolest thing I’ve seen today is that a bunch of volunteer public health professionals and developers have restored the CDC website from before January 20th 2025.
This differs from an archive in that they want to rebuild the links between pages and replicate the full website.
This differs from an archive in that they want to rebuild the links between pages and replicate the full website.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
restoredcdc.org
March 9, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The coolest thing I’ve seen today is that a bunch of volunteer public health professionals and developers have restored the CDC website from before January 20th 2025.
This differs from an archive in that they want to rebuild the links between pages and replicate the full website.
This differs from an archive in that they want to rebuild the links between pages and replicate the full website.