About

Health and care services and public services in the UK are under enormous pressures. From changes within the health care system and a country hit hard by Covid-19; local and global shortages of staff; and other external factors such as public sector austerity, and the uncertainty caused by the UK’s exit from the European Union. Our work is also challenged by increasing scepticism and a reaction against facts, evidence and research. 

We stand independent both of the NHS and of politics. We are funded largely by our own endowment, and are small enough to respond quickly to the volatile political and policy environment. We produce incisive commentary and research with three main aims: 

• To influence policy and practice through generating and synthesising information on health and social care to facilitate both better policy and better practice. 
• To challenge and support those involved in planning and delivering healthcare to think more creatively and innovatively about how to adapt and redesign services to meet changing patient needs; 
• To provide information on the evidence, statistics, facts and research which politicians and policymakers use in their interventions in the health and care system in the UK. 

Find out more about who we are and how we are run using the menu links.