The Nuffield Trust

The Nuffield Trust is an independent health think tank. We aim to help achieve a high quality health and social care system that improves the health and care of people in the UK by providing evidence-based research and policy analysis and informing and generating debate.

Standing independent both of the NHS and of politics, funded largely by its own endowment, and 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 by 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.

We seek to be respected and highly-regarded by our main audiences; to remain separate from but expert in the NHS and social care; and above all to use our independence, highly skilled staff and unique position to be a force for good in improving the health and social care of the UK population.


Latest reports

The future for health after Brexit

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust looks at the delivery of health and care in the UK after Brexit. Our Health and International Relations Monitor project, supported by the Health Foundation, tracks issues that are important for the delivery of health and care in the UK to understand how our changing relationship...

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Public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2024: Results from the British Social Attitudes survey

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust analyses results from the British Social Attitudes survey. The survey results indicate a significant decline in public satisfaction with the NHS and social care services. The report analyses factors contributing to this trend, such as service accessibility and quality, and discusses implications for policymakers aiming to...

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Health in the UK after Brexit: Moving apart or stuck together?

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust examines the ongoing impact of Brexit on the UK's health system. This report examines the ongoing impact of Brexit on the UK's health system, focusing on areas such as medicines, workforce migration, and procurement legislation. It highlights emerging challenges in AI, funding, professional qualifications, and cross-border...

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Public expenditure in the last year of life

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust analyses healthcare spending patterns during individuals' final year of life. The study analyses healthcare spending patterns during individuals' final year of life, revealing significant expenditures and variations across services. It underscores the importance of understanding these patterns to inform policy decisions aimed at improving end-of-life care...

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In the balance: Lessons for changing the mix of professions in NHS services

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust explores the implications of altering the professional composition within NHS services. This report explores the implications of altering the professional composition within NHS services. It discusses the potential benefits and challenges of diversifying roles, aiming to enhance service delivery and address workforce shortages through strategic role...

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Practice learning in nursing and midwifery education: An independent rapid review

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust assesses the current state of practice learning in nursing and midwifery education. The review assesses the current state of practice learning in nursing and midwifery education, identifying areas for improvement. It provides recommendations to enhance educational experiences, support student placements, and ensure the development of competent...

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What needs to improve for social care to better support people with dementia?

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust evaluates the effectiveness of social care services for individuals with dementia. This report evaluates the effectiveness of social care services for individuals with dementia, highlighting gaps in support and service provision. It offers strategic recommendations to improve care quality, accessibility, and integration with healthcare services to...

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From ambition to reality: national policy options to improve care worker pay in England

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust sets out the options for pay reform and explains the advantages and pitfalls of introducing them. Low pay for care workers is a key factor among the problems that beset the social care sector. The case for reform is strong, but as yet there is no...

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Public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2023

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust examines public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2023. The British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey is a ‘gold standard’ nationally representative survey that uses a robust methodology to explore public views on a wide range of issues. The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust...

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Preventing people with a learning disability from dying too young

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust looks at preventative health care services for people with a learning disability. Around 1.3 million people in England have a learning disability and may need more support to stay in good health. But are they able to get access to the services they are entitled to...

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The elective care backlog and ethnicity

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust looks at variation in treatment rates for routine hospital care, both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. In England there is a huge backlog in routine hospital care, with more than 7 million patients waiting to begin hospital treatment as of August 2022. It is now...

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Falling short

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust looks at how far have we come in improving support for unpaid carers in England. People who provide care unpaid for a family member or a friend due to illness, disability, or mental health provide a vital role bridging gaps in state-funded support. But despite the...

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Inequality on the inside

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust uses hospital data to understand the key health care issues for women in prison. This new research, which was funded by the Health Foundation, underlines the challenges and risks women in prison face because of barriers to accessing health and care services.  All prisoners have a...

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Integrating health and social care

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust looks at a comparison of healthcare integration policy and progress across the four countries of the UK. Across the four counties of the UK, integration of health and social care has been a policy priority driven by the needs of a population that is living longer...

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Fit for the future

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust looks at what the NHS can learn about digital health care from other European countries. The rapid increase in the use of technology during the Covid-19 pandemic shows that digital health technology will be a fundamental part of health system recovery and for preparing for the...

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