A learning NHS and ‘black box’ analysis aren’t compatible

Data analysis presents a limitless opportunity to improve decision making within the NHS.

End of Life analysis: what next? A perspective from Seamus O'Mahony

In this blog, the author of ‘The Way We Die Now’ - Seamus O’Mahony – sets our findings into a broader context. He also examines one topic raised in our analysis: chemotherapy at the end of life. 

Why are deaths set to rise?

In our recent analysis of healthcare use in the last 2 years of life, we point out an important change that’s taking place to life and death in the UK. 

Making sense of evidence

It's time to celebrate World Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC)  Day.  In a world dominated by COVID-19 and the associated infodemic, this day arguably has more resonance. Closer to home, EBHC Day also coincides with our Insight 2020 festival and the launch of the Midlands Decision Support network.  What better opportunity to ask, 'what does evidence-informed decision making actually mean'?

The bigger picture

Today, the Health Foundation launched the REAL Centre (Research and Economic Analysis for the Long term), an incredibly important initiative to imp

Bringing NHS analytics into the 21st Century

A marriage usually needs (at least): a matchmaker, two entities, a (little) money, a proposal and a home.

The Analysts Revolution

Health and social care systems do not make best use of existing analytical talents and resources.

Key opportunities for eye health and well being

Eye health and sight loss services have historically had a lower profile in service provision compared to many other specialities. There is a view that the importance of eye health has been underrepresented in many Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) plans.

Measuring what matters in systems – A call for person-centred intelligence

The Strategy Unit and Ipsos MORI launch guide to implementing Person-Centred Intelligence.

World Mental Health Day - Insights from our Guest Blog Series

On World Mental Health Day 2019, we bring to a close the Strategy Unit’s guest blog series which explored the overlap between mental and physical health.

Population Health Management support

When mental illness and physical illness overlap

A series of guest blogs from Professor Sir Muir Gray, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health FT Medical Director - Dr Hilary Grant, Health Foundation Chief Executive - Jennifer Dixon, Mind's Director of External Relations - Sophie Corlett, GP & Clinical Director - Dr Paul Turner, and Diabetes UK - Colette Marshall.

Survey: Seasonal Profiling in NHS Elective Care

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE & I) are exploring the opportunity of applying seasonal profiling in elective care.

Have cuts to public spending on social care for older people led to more emergency hospital admissions?

Cuts to council social care budgets are often cited as a cause of pressure on NHS urgent and emergency care services. Much of the evidence supporting this link, however, is anecdotal. We set out to try and quantify the effect of cuts to social care on older people’s use of emergency healthcare services, and our research has just been published in BMJ Open.

Living with diabetes is a mind game - Colette Marshall, Diabetes UK

As we continue our series of viewpoints on the physical and clinical mental health divide, Colette Marshall, Director of Operations at Diabetes UK brings the perspective of those living with a chronic health condition.

The body keeps the score (do we?)

In this fifth guest blog, in our series of viewpoints on the physical and clinical mental health divide, Dr Paul Turner, General Practitioner at Karis Medical Centre, Birmingham and Joint Clinical Director for Mental Health, NHSE West Midlands Clinical Network describes the cost of untreated complexity.

Time to act for sex and gender parity in health and care

On International Womens Day 2019, Abeda Mulla from the Strategy Unit reflects on our gendered society that has led to poorer health outcomes in women.

Emerging from the silos: how the NHS can support economic growth

The Strategy Unit has been leading the way on supporting local NHS bodies to consider the wider economic impact of how they operate. Here, David Frith highlights what a shift this is for the NHS, along with the range of opportunities NHS bodies should consider exploring.

They don’t believe you

Continuing our mental and physical health guest blog series, Sophie Corlett the Director of External Relations at Mind provides some perspectives from people with physical ailments who are users of mental health services.