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Our work

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Graph showing loss versus surplus
13/05/2024

Contracting for health outcomes: from concept through theory to implementation

In this new report, jointly authored with colleagues from the University of York and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we set out in detail how an outcomes-based contract for elective knee replacements might be constructed, and the potential implications for commissioners, providers, and policy-makers.

Red rose on grave headstone
Blog post 23/04/2024

Playing our part in conversations about death

“Dad, why are all your ‘peptalks’ about death?” Children can be a source of fundamental insight. They seem to specialise in feedback of the unvarnished, unmediated and fully caffeinated variety. The kind of feedback that cuts straight to it. My youngest daughter, mid-way through our sunny walk down the hill to school, pressed on: “And you wear black all the time. You look like a crow…” Fundamental insight, and now fashion advice. This was quite the school run.

Feet walking
02/04/2024

Ghosted by an old friend

“…personal contact was a vital element in general practice from the beginning. By 1959 50% of people in England regarded their GP as a personal friend.”

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

Diagnostics
Blog post 12/05/2023

Diagnosing harms?

All medicines are poisons. Everything that cures could kill if administered in the wrong doses, to the wrong people, at the wrong times, in the wrong ways.

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:  

Decision blog_4
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #4: Embrace uncertainty - it's a badge of honour

Imagine this: 

Decision blog_3
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #3: The black hole of the status quo

Learning is one of the joys of teaching. And I’ve learnt a lot while helping people develop their decision making skills.

Decision Making 2
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #2: Two under-appreciated sources of leadership power

Some forms of leaders’ power are obvious. Leaders hire and they fire.

Decision blog_1
Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision Making Blog #1: Better decision making: a neglected route to improvement?

There are two main routes for health and care services to improve the health of the populations they serve. The

Blog post 01/04/2023

Decision making - a series of blogs on decision quality

ICS intelligence functions graph
Report 21/03/2023

ICS intelligence functions – a toolkit to support the implementation of NHSE guidance

In 2020, NHSE

graphic showing inequality being erased with eraser
Report 04/11/2022

What are the ethical challenges in addressing inequities?

Produced by Angie Hobbs - the world’s first Professor in the Public Understanding of Philosophy – this paper examines the ethical questions raised by our report outlining strategies for reducing inequity.

Public sitting in a room
Long read 27/09/2022

Helping ICSs to reduce inequalities in access to planned care

Are there inequalities in access to planned care? If so, what are they? Which groups ‘gain’ and which groups suffer? And what could be done to address any inequalities? In pursuing their objective of reducing inequalities, what could Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) do? What strategies and approaches are likely to be successful?

Female in hospital bed with drip inserted into back of hand
Blog post 01/07/2022

Blog: Strategies to reduce inequalities in planned care

MDSN responds to recent reports addressing the NHS waiting list crisis

Handwriting on piece of card: Mistakes are proof you are trying
Blog post 08/06/2022

‘Might’ is right

A good idea can be ruined by over-selling.

Pagination

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