Our healthcare system cannot improve unless we know how patients are treated, and if that treatment has worked. However, the only way this can happen is if we keep measuring healthcare processes and outcomes. Although healthcare professionals know what best practice is, they do not always know how to improve their own practice.
Case studies
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Reducing health inequalities in Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets ranks as one of the most deprived communities in the UK. Encompassing all the GP practices in the borough, this project aims to reduce inequalities in how healthcare is delivered and ultimately in the health of the population.
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Quality improvement in chronic kidney disease
Patients with chronic kidney disease cannot remove waste products from their blood and can be prone to anaemia, cardiovascular disease, renal failure and ultimately death. This project aims to help GPs in southwest London and Surrey better identify and manage patients with the condition.
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Developing resources for people with insomnia
Around one in ten people suffer chronic insomnia, which occurs on a regular basis or over a long period of time. This project aims to improve treatment for people with insomnia by promoting a range of treatment options beyond sleeping pills, which carry the risk of side effects and addiction.
Publications
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Paying the patient: does it work? A review of patient-targeted incentives
This report summarises the evidence on the effectiveness of patient incentives in improving quality of healthcare.
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Does public release of performance results improve quality of care? A systematic review
The latest QQUIP report summarises the evidence related to public reporting and its effect on quality improvement.
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Bridging the quality gap
Bridging the quality gap explores the quality of stroke care in the UK. Despite the national priority accorded to stroke, services are not as high quality as they should be.
Featured data
Current activities
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Engaging with Quality Initiative
The Engaging with Quality Initiative aims to help healthcare professionals close the gap between current and best practice across clinical services.
Features
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Hate something, change something, make healthcare better
Stephen Thornton, Chief Executive of The Health Foundation, argues that without meaningful information and good clinical measurement we cannot improve healthcare.
Latest news
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Health Foundation supports regulation plans
The Health Foundation has supported the Government’s plans for the regulation of the NHS and healthcare professionals, as outlined in the recent Queen’s speech.
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New research assesses impact of regulation
Inspections, targets, standards and mandatory reporting can make a difference to the quality of healthcare, according to latest research published by The Health Foundation today.
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New website charts NHS progress
The Health Foundation has launched a new website that provides an independent, accurate and up-to-date picture of how well the NHS is performing.