Funding, news and events from February 2024

Events

Digital Health Rewired Conference 2024

This annual conference and exhibition on digital health brings together professionals from the NHS and social care, private healthcare, suppliers, start-ups, innovators, policy makers and patients. It will be held at Birmingham's NEC on 12–13 March and is free for NHS and start-up staff. Tim Horton, Assistant Director for Innovation and Improvement at the Health Foundation will be speaking at the event.

Register here

Rapid Evaluation Conference 2024

This year’s conference will bring together representatives from the rapid evaluation community to explore the theme: Evidence-based decisions when budgets are tight: rapid evaluation and knowledge mobilisation. Register here

Discounted rate for International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, London 2024

As a strategic partner for International Forum this year, the Health Foundation and the Q community have negotiated a 25% discount on delegate passes to support you to attend the conference. Register here

Current opportunities

Invitation to tender: Management capacity and capability in NHS trusts and system-level partnerships

The Health Foundation is seeking a supplier to undertake a programme of research that will explore NHS management capacity in England. Read here

Blogs

From insight into action: how can local government better use its data to address inequalities?

Ellen Coughlan shares initial findings from work looking into how local government can make better use of data to tackle health inequalities. Read here

We shouldn’t get comfortable with corridor ‘care’

Heather Wilson, a registered nurse and Health Foundation Programme and Policy Officer, on the effects of overcrowded hospitals on patients, staff and families. Read here

Lessons to help the government’s WorkWell programme work well

Sharlene McGee shares some key lessons from the Health Foundation's Economies for Healthier Lives programme that could help inform the government's new WorkWell pilots. Read here

Publications and long reads

Our priorities for the next general election

We identify the five most pressing priorities for health and care, making the case for policy changes to build a healthier UK. Read here

Interpreting the latest life expectancy data

What's happening to life expectancy in the UK? Myriam Vriend and Anna Gazzillo interpret the latest data on period and cohort life expectancy. Read here

Inequalities in life expectancy: how the UK compares 

This analysis shows how international comparisons can be useful to guide policymaking on reducing health inequalities. Read here

What do virtual wards look like in England?

This working paper explores what virtual wards currently look like across England and their effects on patients, staff and hospital capacity. Read here

We've only just begun: Action to improve young people's mental health, education and employment

This report from the Resolution Foundation is the culmination of a three-year research programme exploring the relationship between the mental health and work outcomes of young people. The programme was funded by the Health Foundation and part of the broader Young people’s future health inquiry. Its findings address the question: what policy change is required if the growing number of young people with mental health problems are to thrive in the world of work today? Read here

Podcast

Why aren’t we working?

Episode 40 of the podcast explores what lies behind the decline in health of working-age people in the UK, and what the solutions might be. Listen now

News

Entrenched financial strain on councils continues to impact health and exacerbate inequalities 

Katherine Merrifield responds to the publication of the final local government finance settlement. Read here

Slow progress to reduce waiting lists amid tough winter and overstretched A&E 

Tim Gardner comments on the publication of the NHS monthly performance statistics. Read here

Health Foundation responds to ONS update on economic inactivity due to long-term sickness 

Christopher Rocks comments on the ONS labour market statistics release. Read here

This content originally featured in our email newsletter, which explores perspectives and expert opinion on a different health or health care topic each month.