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Our work

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Long read 06/03/2026

Discharged without a diagnosis

In 2023/24, one million people who were admitted to an NHS hospital in an emergency, were later discharged without a diagnosis. This long-read examines what this means for patients and providers.

A Healthcare Worker Measuring a Patient's Blood Pressure Using a Sphygmomanometer
Long read 04/03/2026

Continuity in primary care: the safest bet we aren’t able to make?

In this long-read, which first appeared in the HSJ, Fraser Battye asks whether focusing on continuity might also improve access to primary care

hospital staff running down a corridor wearing masks and scrubs
Blog post 23/02/2026

What explains the recent growth in hospital activity?

In this long read, Fraser Battye describes our analysis of what has driven the growth in hospital activity.

Realistic office table cluttered with scattered calendars, colourful sticky notes, and overlapping handwritten plans, with coffee stains and multiple wall clocks showing different times.
Blog post 03/02/2026

The enduring ‘messy programme’ with ‘mixed results’

The diagram below shows me at my most cynical.

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.

man in wind
Blog post 26/09/2025

The decline in care continuity is not inevitable

Relational continuity of care, the extent to which patients have an ongoing relationship with a specific clinician in their GP practice, is perhaps

carer holding had with elderly person in wheelchair
Blog post 24/09/2025

A missing element in ‘shifting care’

Our Director, Peter Spilsbury, outlines the scale of the task when it comes to making ‘the shift from hospital to community’.

Hospital building
News 08/04/2025

Our role in the New Hospital Programme

​​Learn how the Strategy Unit’s innovative model is transforming hospital planning by providing a consistent, data-driven approach to forecast future demand and evidence-based decision making.

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.

Image of four boxes in an arrow pointing to Outputs (Report, Slides, Workshops, Journal Article and Blogs)
Blog post 30/01/2025

Our collective responsibility to share evaluation findings

The Strategy Unit is increasingly being commissioned to undertake evaluations on the pre

The Strategy Unit Guide to Evaluation Design, Principles and Practice
Guide 29/01/2025

A Guide to Effective Evaluation: Design, Principles and Practice

Evaluation is key to making better decisions in health and care– understanding what works, for whom, and why.

Image of four connected jigsaw pieces representing Geography, Timing, Site Selection and Target Population
Blog post 24/01/2025

Why can’t I prove my programme is effective?

Evaluation blog series continues with Impact Evaluation Lead Mike Woodall looking at how programme designers can maximise the chances of success.

Image of fairground ride swings swinging high in air
Blog post 16/01/2025

The merry-go-round of evaluation recommendations

A blog series and short reports sharing how to design projects to best support evaluation.

Change NHS logo
Long read 12/12/2024

‘NHS 10 Year Plan’: Strategy Unit consultation response

The Strategy Unit’s response to the Government’s current consultation on the ‘10 Year Health Plan’ for England.

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

What are the downsides of digital?

What are the downsides of digital?

Old medicine bottles
Blog post 16/07/2024

The risks of risk stratification

Medical history is full of bizarre and gruesome procedures.

Confused man
Blog post 20/05/2024

Want to ease pressure in urgent care? Simply cut community services!?!

What should decision makers do with analysis that challenges deeply held assumptions? In this blog, Fraser Battye reflects on a surprising recent finding about community services.

dandelion with seeds floating away
Report 31/01/2024

A Picture of End-of-Life Care in England

Working with Macmillan our analysis investigates who is more likely to experience poor outcomes associated with shortcomings in end-of-life care? Are there particular areas in England where those at end-of-life face significant challenges and how might the supply of services in an area be influencing these?

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