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Our work

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  • Strategy Unit
Event 21/07/2026

Strategy Unit to lead the Strategic Commissioning Intelligence Centre

On the face of it, the Strategy Unit does many things. In reality, only do one thing help NHS organisations make better decisions.

HDR waiting list conference banner 2026
Blog post 22/06/2026

Waiting List Conference 2026: From Backlog to Breakthrough

Reducing elective care waiting lists remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the NHS.

emergency fire exit sign hanging from the ceiling
Long read 11/05/2026

Discharge before noon

Can data on discharge times help us to improve hospital flow?

Strategy Unit logo
Event 05/05/2026

SU Insights

‘SU Insights’ is a series of events hosted by the Strategy Unit, exploring the latest analytical insights with leading experts.

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.

white and grey leaf-printed pillow on armchair
Blog post 09/12/2025

Death (and taxes?)

Hospices are fundamental to end of life care, and the broader shift ‘from hospital to community’.

Aging tool: most deprived (51.9 years in good health) vs least deprived (70.7 years in good health)
Long read 17/04/2025

Things can only get better (?)

Introducing a new online tool to help local health and care service planners think differently about healthy ageing.    

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

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.

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?

MDSN banner image
Event 01/06/2024

Midlands Analyst Network and Huddles

The Midlands Analyst Network was created to provide a space for analysts to share information, ideas and resources, as well as seek advice and guidance from one another.

Senior Patient Lady Signing Papers With Doctor In Hospital
Long read 10/05/2023

Inclusive Elective Care Recovery

These case studies present the key features and learning from local initiatives which championed inclusive approaches to elective care recovery.

Menopause and the NHS workforce graphic
Long read 07/03/2023

No more suffering in silence, we want to talk about the menopause

To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, Karen Bradley, Principal Consultant at the Strategy Unit, and Susan Blakey, Senior People Consultant at MLCSU, two advisors involved in the recent project, ‘Menopause and the NHS Workforce’, discuss its significance and share what they want to see happen as a result of the published report.

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?

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