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Our work

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Two people stand on opposite sides of a number on the ground; one sees a 6, the other sees a 9, each pointing and stating their perspective.
Blog post 30/06/2026

Neighbourhoods and hospital activity: oh yes it can, oh no it can’t?

Simple, intuitive ideas don’t draw critical attention. They stroll about the policy world, untested and unscathed.

Colorful wooden Tetris-like blocks are stacked and scattered on a wooden surface with a green background.
Blog post 02/06/2026

Complex problems and Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Many moons ago, I was fortunate enough to observe a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in Dudley.

Space shuttle rocket isolated on blue cyan background with copy space. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.
Blog post 29/04/2026

Neighbourhood health should not be judged (solely) by its ability to reduce hospital activity

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy arrived at NASA headquarters for a progress update on the planned trip to the moon.

blue and pink string lights
Blog post 14/04/2026

Diagnosing the problems of non-diagnosis

Some descriptions of healthcare seem to be taken straight from the film Minority Report.

2. Several individuals wearing scrubs discussing among themselves in outdoor setting.
Blog post 20/10/2025

The Strategy Unit contribution to neighbourhood health

Our role in supporting the national effort to turn the vision of neighbourhood health into action by providing evidence, analysis and insight.

Rule of thumb card
Report 07/05/2025

Are there any non-technical ‘rules of thumb’ for assessing the quality of analysis?

The report below is from a short project that explored a simple set of questions:

Image of shocked goose
Blog post 27/03/2025

‘Internal Consultancy’: INSIGHTS from evidence and experience

In this blog, our Head of Policy, Fraser Battye, shares his reflections on a recent ‘SU INSIGHTS’ event on the ‘Internal Consultancy’

Man wearing suit adjusting cuff
Blog post 11/03/2025

Are ‘Internal Consultancies’ a good option for the NHS?

Ahead of a SU INSIGHTS event on the topic, Fraser Battye, our Head of Policy suggests ways the NHS could make better use of consultancy support.

Image of female carer leaning over elderly female patient and holding her hand
Long read 05/03/2025

From ‘right drift’ to ‘left shift’?

Our Head of Policy, Fraser Battye, looks at the challenges facing the intention to shift care ‘from hospital to community’. He suggests that we have missed a critical part of the explanation for why this ‘left shift’ hasn’t taken place following previous initiatives.

Stock image of red first aid kit with contents spilling out: stethoscope, tablets, ear buds, tweezers, plasters
Blog post 14/02/2025

Charisma

In this long read, which first appeared in the HSJ, Fraser Battye - our Head of Policy – looks at the role of charisma and innovation in the way that NHS resources are allocated.

Image of two young children wearing VR headsets
Report 15/10/2024

What are the downsides of digital?

What are the downsides of digital?

Sword floating in water with rope around it
Blog post 10/10/2024

Ara Darzi, Wes Streeting and English health policy. Part 2: cutting the knot

Following on from part one, Fraser continues exploring the Gordian Knot of English health policy.

Blue tied rope
Blog post 04/10/2024

Ara Darzi, Wes Streeting and English health policy. Part 1: the Gordian Knot

Health policy is not at a crossroads, it is in a bind. Strands so entangled, so complex they resemble a Gordian knot. Can this knot be untied?

Old medicine bottles
Blog post 16/07/2024

The risks of risk stratification

Medical history is full of bizarre and gruesome procedures.

Black image with slither of light and man holding bag walking through it
Blog post 26/10/2023

How data makes things worse

All light brings shade. My list of ‘changes that have been all upside and no downside’ is short and debatable.

Image of flower from bud to full bloom
11/10/2023

Leadership training and support for organisational development: an offer from the Strategy Unit

The Strategy Unit has long been known for the quality of its analytical work, and the clear, critical thi

Decision blog_8
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #8: Infinity-shaped debate

I’m argumentative.

Decision blog_7
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #7: Should we 'go with the gut'? Yes, but...

I’m not sure there’s a superlative strong enough to describe ‘T

Decision blog_6
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #6: The most powerful question in decision making?

I’m a fan of Shane Parrish and his organisation Farnam Street (strapline: ‘Helping you master the best of

Decision blog_5
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #5: Reaching disagreement

Two starting points:  

Pagination

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