Research and commentary

Explainers

Facts, statistics and explainers on key issues for people looking for an easy route to a better understanding of the complex world of health and social care policy.

Search all our explainers

NHS spending plans and reality over the past 10 years

Explainer
  • 21/11/2023
  • Sally Gainsbury

Exploring the earnings of NHS doctors in England

Explainer
  • 24/08/2023
  • Billy Palmer | Lucina Rolewicz | Emma Dodsworth

How much planned care in England is delivered and funded privately?

Explainer
  • 23/06/2023
  • Stuti Bagri | Sarah Scobie

The NHS workforce in numbers

Explainer
  • 12/10/2022
  • Lucina Rolewicz | Billy Palmer | Cyril Lobont

Junior doctor strikes: facts and figures on UK doctors in training

Explainer
  • 13/03/2023

Ambulance staff strikes: facts and figures on the ambulance workforce

Explainer
  • 20/12/2022

Nursing strikes: facts and figures on UK nursing staff

Explainer
  • 19/12/2022

The state of community health services in England

Explainer
  • 10/02/2023
  • Sarah Scobie | Stephanie Kumpunen

Peak leaving? A spotlight on nurse leaver rates in the UK

Explainer
  • 30/09/2022
  • Billy Palmer | Lucina Rolewicz

Digital health care across the UK: where are we now?

Explainer
  • 18/08/2022
  • Rachel Hutchings | Jessica Morris

Patient-initiated follow-up: does it work, why it matters, and can it help the NHS recover?

Explainer
  • 04/08/2022
  • Sarah Reed | Nadia Crellin

Virtual wards and Covid-19: An explainer

Explainer
  • 14/03/2022
  • Dr Holly Walton | Prof Naomi Fulop

Past, present and future of NHS nurse numbers

Chart of the week
  • 30/11/2023
  • Lucina Rolewicz

More nurses in frontline care but momentum must be maintained to meet ambitious NHS workforce plan

Press release
  • 30/11/2023

Increase in registered nurses doesn't tell the full story

Press release
  • 30/11/2023