Measurement
for Improvement
The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute; 2025.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/measurement-for-improvement/F765AFBA06D02F6AA52F060FBBCD20A4
[The main principles underpinning measurement for healthcare improvement are
outlined in this Element. Although there is no single formula for achieving
optimal measurement to support improvement, a fundamental principle is the
importance of using multiple measures and approaches to gathering data.
Improvement teams must tread carefully to avoid imposing undue burdens on
patients, clinicians, or organisations.]
Freely available online
Green plan
guidance.
NHS England; 2025.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/green-plan-guidance/
[This updated guidance is to help NHS organisations develop robust plans to
support world-leading patient care, save money and minimise waste – continuing
the NHS’s journey to achieving net zero. Refreshed green plans should be
approved by the organisation’s board or governing body, published in an
accessible location on the organisation’s website, and shared with NHS England
by 31 July 2025.]
Freely available online
National
elective access policy.
NHS England; 2025.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/national-elective-access-policy/
[This policy will support implementation of the updated Recording and reporting
guidance. It covers the core principles that all providers and systems should
include in their local elective access policies, to support consistent
application of waiting times rules and guidance. Local policies should reflect
local pathways and implementation plans. E-learning training materials are
available to support the consistent use of referral to treatment rules.]
Freely available online
Reforming
elective care for patients.
NHS England; 2025.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/reforming-elective-care-for-patients/
[The new plan sets out how the NHS will reform elective care services and meet
the 18 week referral to treatment standard by March 2029. Under this plan
elective care will be increasingly personalised and digital, with a focus on
improving experience and convenience, and empowering people with choice and
control over when and where they will be treated.]
Freely available online
Reforming
elective care for patients.
NHS England; 2025.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/reforming-elective-care-for-patients/
[This new plan sets out how the NHS will reform elective care services and meet
the 18 week referral to treatment standard by March 2029. Under this plan
elective care will be increasingly personalised and digital, with a focus on
improving experience and convenience, and empowering people with choice and
control over when and where they will be treated.]
Freely available online
Standardising
community health services: phase 1 codifying core community health services.
NHS England; 2025.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/standardising-community-health-services/
[Community health services cover a diverse range of health care delivery. This
guidance aims to support improved commissioning and delivery of community
health services. Codifying community health services will help to better assess
demand and capacity. It will also help commissioners make investment choices as
they design neighbourhood health provision that shifts care to community-based
settings.]
Freely available online
Mental
Capacity Report: December 2024.
Thirty Nine Essex Street LLP; 2024.
https://www.39essex.com/information-hub/insight/mental-capacity-report-december-2024
[Highlights this month include: In the Health, Welfare and Deprivation of
Liberty Report: the Court of Appeal grapples again with sexual capacity, and
important reminders of best interests as good governance and operating in an
imperfect world; In the Mental Health Matters Report: a Mental Health Bill
update, detainability and the courts, and Right Care,
Right Person under scrutiny; In the Wider Context Report: Assisted dying /
assisted suicide developments, capacity and surrogacy.]
Freely available online
New
Polling Reveals Public Support for NHS Digital Transformation.
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change; 2025.
https://institute.global/insights/public-services/new-polling-reveals-public-support-for-nhs-digital-transformation
[Polling conducted by Deltapoll, commissioned by TBI,
shows that about three-quarters of those surveyed said they would welcome the
use of their digitised and anonymised health records by the NHS if it provided
faster, safer and more efficient care as a benefit. More specifically, about 60
per cent of dissatisfied NHS users believe better use of technology could
enhance services and the majority are willing to share anonymised data to
achieve this.]
Freely available online
Could
cross-sector insights be the key to NHS transformation?
Marshall. HSJ 2025;:7038248.article.
[As the NHS faces sweeping reforms, drawing on expertise from other sectors
could offer fresh perspectives, boost innovation, and enhance service delivery.
Overcoming cultural and recruitment barriers may be key to unlocking this
potential.]
Contact the library for a copy of this article
The
mythbuster: AI focus is a distraction
Black. HSJ 2025;:7038509.article.
[Investing in AI for NHS data overlooks the real need: basic, affordable
analysis of critical data sets to solve pressing issues.]
Contact the library for a copy of this article
The
NHS is holding the economy back by failing to share its data
Swindells. HSJ 2025;:7038497.article.
[Matthew Swindells writes about how unlocking AI’s potential in the NHS can
boost productivity, improve patient care, and free clinicians from admin tasks
by prioritising simpler, proven technologies like RPA and machine learning.]
Contact the library for a copy of this article
A
partial plan: unanswered questions on reforming elective care.
The Nuffield Trust; 2025.
https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/a-partial-plan-unanswered-questions-on-reforming-elective-care
[The plan to reform elective care for patients, published earlier this week,
shows that the government is serious about changing how planned health care is
delivered over a longer term. As this blog explores, however, there are some
unanswered questions about how the plan will work.]
Freely available online
Are
elective recovery targets achievable?
King's Fund; 2025.
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/elective-recovery-targets-achievable-evidence
[The newly released elective care plan sets some bold targets for reducing
elective waiting times. But can these goals realistically be achieved, asks
Sarah Arnold.]
Freely available online
Briefing:
How HR can use organisational development to boost skills development.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD); 2025.
https://www.cipd.org/en/views-and-insights/thought-leadership/insight/organisational-development-boost-skills
[As organisations look for new ways to grow the skills base of their workforce,
we examine the role that organisational development (OD) can play in driving up
productivity and improving business outcomes.]
Freely available online
How
do we make a success of artificial intelligence in health?
Health Foundation; 2025.
https://www.health.org.uk/features-and-opinion/blogs/how-do-we-make-a-success-of-artificial-intelligence-in-health
[Following his 2025 REAL lecture, Hetan Shah, Chief
Executive Officer of the British Academy, says developing AI interventions will
require meaningfully involving the public, investing in data and IT, and
adopting proven technology worthy of our trust.]
Freely available online
Improving
the patient experience: insights from Uganda, the UK and the US.
Pharmafocus; 2025.
https://www.pharmafocus.com/articles/improving-the-patient-experience-insights-from-uganda-the-uk-a
[By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in different regions,
healthcare systems can develop more effective, patient-centred care models.
What is the current state of patient experience in Uganda, the UK and the US –
focusing on patient-centred care, physician perspectives and clinical research
participation – and what are some future technological advancements that have
the potential to transform healthcare?]
Freely available online
Slaying
the leadership zombies inside us.
King's Fund; 2025.
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/leadership-zombies
[Why do zombie ideas continue to haunt modern-day workplaces? Dharaa Patel
explores how outdated yet persistent beliefs are holding back organisations,
and why it’s important to let go of them. By Dharaa Patel.]
Freely available online
CIPD Change Management
Conference 2025.
[A full day of dynamic learning designed to equip you with the latest
strategies and skills to lead impactful, sustainable change. This year’s
Conference dives deep into the essentials of the change journey, covering
everything from building a culture ready for transformation to measuring and
validating the impact of change initiatives. *‘Please note this is a paid-for
event. You should check your local training offer and funding arrangements
before booking*]
Leonardo Royal Hotel London
All day event on: 28th April, 2025
https://events.cipd.co.uk/change-management
South East
Connect 2025: Shaping the Future of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) in
Health and Care (Delivered Face to Face at The Hilton Hotel, Reading).
[Involves networking with leading corporate sponsors: Forge valuable
connections and explore potential partnerships, keynote speakers, connecting
with regional colleagues, enhancing career prospects, participating in
workshops.]
Hilton Hotel, Reading
All day event on: 6th March, 2025
https://www.skillsdevelopmentnetwork.com/event?ID=11591
A
pain to complain: why it's time to fix the NHS complaints process.
Healthwatch England; 2025.
https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/report/2025-01-27/pain-complain-why-its-time-fix-nhs-complaints-process
[Written complaints in the NHS reached a record high in 2024. This report finds
that low public confidence is preventing people from taking any action after
experiencing poor care, meaning that current complaints numbers could just be
the tip of the iceberg.]
Freely available online
A
portrait of modern Britain: health – the public's priorities for the NHS.
Policy Exchange; 2025.
https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/A-Portrait-of-Modern-Britain-Health.pdf
[This report examines the perceptions of and priorities the British public have
for the NHS. It found that the NHS providing services free at point of use was
less of a priority to the public than ensuring access to a GP and treating
major conditions. Young and urban respondents are more open to major reforms to
primary care, such as enabling direct access to secondary care. It makes
several recommendations and looks at specific policy areas such as general
practice, dentistry and mental health.]
Freely available online
AI
Opportunities Action Plan: Independent report.
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology; 2025.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-opportunities-action-plan/ai-opportunities-action-plan
[This plan, commissioned by Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and
Technology, states that the goal for Britain should be a thriving domestic AI
ecosystem, with serious players at multiple layers of the “AI stack” and
widespread use of AI products and services across the economy.]
Freely available online
In
the balance: lessons for changing the mix of professions in NHS services.
NHS Employers; 2025.
https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/balance-lessons-changing-mix-professions-nhs-services
[This new report from the Nuffield Trust provides some lessons for how new and
emerging roles could be better implemented and integrated into the NHS.]
Freely available online
Integrating
health and social care: a path to better services and outcomes.
UK Parliament; 2025.
https://post.parliament.uk/integrating-health-and-social-care-a-path-to-better-services-and-outcomes/
[All nations of the UK have sought to improve joint working between health and
social care services. Can closer working improve the quality of care and
population health, and help deal with increasing demand in England? By Thomas
Powell and Natasha Mutebi.]
Freely available online
New
Hospital Programme Briefing.
NHS Providers; 2025.
https://nhsproviders.org/media/700060/wmh-debate-on-the-new-hospital-programme.pdf
[This briefing covers key aspects of the New Hospital Programme to date, the
announcement made by the Secretary of State (20 January 2025) and the
perspective of trusts.]
Freely available online
On
the frontline of the UK’s corridor care crisis.
Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2025.
https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/rcn-frontline-of-the-uk-corridor-care-crisis-uk-pub-011-944
[The RCN asked members to respond to a short survey at the end of December.
Thousands of nursing staff responded, confirming corridor care is widespread
across the UK. This report includes the raw, unedited and often heart-breaking
responses of nursing staff working across the UK.]
Freely available online
Protecting
patients and the NHS through full transparency in industry-NHS collaborations.
University of Bath Institute for Policy Research; 2024.
https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/protecting-patients-and-the-nhs-through-full-transparency-in-industry-nhs-collaborations/
[IPR Policy Brief. This policy brief recommends key legislative reforms to
enhance financial transparency in industry-NHS collaborations.]
Freely available online
Public
sector digital trends: beyond borders.
Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation; 2025.
https://socitm.net/resource-hub/collections/public-sector-digital-trends/
[This report outlines the digital and technology trends driving local public
services change and innovation, and poses 10 questions every public
service leader must address. Focusing on three deep-dive areas covering data,
cybersecurity and reimagining services, the report exposes the
interdependencies of digital initiatives and organisational goals. It
emphasises the importance of clear vision and teamwork to achieve better
social, economic and environmental outcomes.]
Freely available online
The
preventative shift: how can we embed prevention and achieve long term missions.
The Health Foundation; 2025.
https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/briefings/the-preventative-shift-how-can-we-embed-prevention-and-achieve-long
[The new briefing The Preventative Shift looks at how to shift the culture of
public bodies to think ‘prevention first’ and target spending at activities
which are value for money and improve outcomes.]
Freely available online
Association
between time spent in emergency care and 30-day post-discharge mortality,
England: March 2021 to April 2022.
Office for National Statistics (ONS); 2025.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthcaresystem/bulletins/associationbetweentimespentinemergencycareand30daypostdischargemortalityengland/march2021toapril2022
[Relationship between time spent in A&E and the odds of 30-day,
post-discharge, all-cause mortality, controlling for other factors. Release
date: 17 January 2025.]
Freely available online
Employee
voice factsheet.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD); 2025.
https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/factsheets/voice-factsheet/
[This factsheet explores employee voice and its different forms in an
organisation. It looks at the changing nature of voice and influence in the
employment relationship, mechanisms for participation, whistleblowing and how
employers can create a safe environment where individuals feel able to speak
up.]
Freely available online
Focus
on: impact of AI and the world of work.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD); 2025.
https://www.cipd.org/en/policy-and-insights/focus-on/focus-on-impact-of-ai/
[Although AI is already being used in many areas, it can be hard to know where
to begin in your organisation. Browse resources, including reports, guides, and
practical tools, to help you stay ahead and make the most of AI in the
workplace. Note: full access to some resources may be restricted to CIPD
members.]
Freely available online
Quality
Improvement Essentials Toolkit.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI); 2025.
https://www.ihi.org/resources/tools/quality-improvement-essentials-toolkit
[IHI’s Quality Improvement Essentials Toolkit includes the tools and templates
you need to launch a successful quality improvement project and manage
performance improvement. Each of the ten quality improvement (QI) tools can be
used with the Model for Improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma, and includes a short
description, instructions, an example, and a blank template.]
Available with free registration
Visual
Management Board.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI); 2025.
https://www.ihi.org/resources/tools/visual-management-board
[A visual management board is used as a key communication tool that provides
at-a-glance information about current process performance, both quantitative
and qualitative data, to help clinical unit staff coordinate and guide their
daily work and monitor ongoing improvement projects. This page includes visual
management board examples, 5 tips for visual management boards, and how to
implement a visual management board using PDSA cycles.]
Available with free registration