Influencing policy

Why do we influence policy?

Influencing policy development is central to the work of the Health Foundation.

We believe that to improve quality we need a judicious mix of the right policy environment (including regulation and performance management), professionalism and continuous quality improvement approaches. Improvement is most likely to succeed when these different factors are aligned. 

How do we influence policy?

From government and the NHS to patient organisations, we contribute to policy development and debate by sharing the learning from our improvement programmes and our research and development. Our approach reflects our values: we seek to be grounded in evidence, positive, catalytic and independent.

What’s our current focus?

The Health Foundation is seeking to influence the UK government’s proposals for reform of the NHS England (view our White Paper response).

We are advocating: 

• A radical transformation of the relationships between people and services so that patients are equipped to play a much more active role in their own health.
• Continued emphasis on patient safety during the implementation of the government’s reforms.
• Keeping quality on the agenda of the NHS.

On 6 April the government paused progress of the Health and Social Care Bill and launched a listening exercise to engage with patients, clinicians and the public about its proposals for reform of the NHS in England.

In our response to the NHS listening exercise we focused on choice as a mechanism for placing patients centre stage and creating an NHS with the principle of 'No decision about me without me' at its heart.

Responding to the government’s statement on the NHS listening exercise, the Health Foundation welcomed the NHS Future Forum’s recommendation of a more sophisticated approach to the choice agenda with a strong emphasis on genuine involvement in care (see press release).

When the Health and Social Care Bill returned to the House of Commons we called on the government to push forward with a more sophisticated approach to choice which is about genuine involvement in care for all (download our submission of evidence to the Public Bill Committee).

As the Health and Social Care Bill’s begins its passage through the Lords, the Health Foundation is seeking clarification of the intention of the duties on the NHS Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups as to patient choice and to promote involvement of each patient.

We also work to influence the health services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (view our response to the Healthcare Quality Strategy for Scotland).