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Leonora Merry

@leonoramerry.bsky.social
3.3K followers 1.4K following 264 posts

Director of Comms & External Affairs at Nuffield Trust (@nuffieldtrust.org.uk). Advisory Group, Science Media Centre. Co-founder WonkComms (bsky.app/profile/wonkcomms.bsky.soc…). Mum of 👧🧒 👦. SE Londoner. Views: mine!

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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 30/09/2026
NEW: The Prime Minister’s commitment to social care reform is clear. After he yesterday pledged a National Care Service that is free at the point of use, @camille-oung.bsky.social looks at what “personal care” means and calls for clarity on terminology. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wh...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
What does the Prime Minister mean by a National Care Service?
The Prime Minister’s commitment to reforming social care has become emphatically clear again this week. After he pledged a National Care Service that is free at the point of use, Camille Oung looks at...
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
David Oliver @mancunianmedic.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
and personal care is already very heavily rationed and restricted by high eligibility thresholds so is it free personal care in terms of the current eligibility (which leaves many people without care)? Or an expansion of eligibility? Let alone long term residential care, which costs far more?
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Is it free care? Or free personal care? They're very different, as my colleague Natasha points out over at another place:
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Here's one my colleagues prepared earlier: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wh...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
What might Labour’s free personal care pledge actually mean?
With the term ‘personal care’ recently appearing in the debate on social care, what does it actually mean? Camille Oung, Nina Hemmings and Laura Schlepper give their expert take.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 29/09/2026
Today Andy Burnham set out his vision for the future of social care.   Social care policy expert @natashacurry.bsky.social responds to his announcements: what they could mean for reform, and what questions remain? Read Natasha's reaction 👇
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Nuffield Trust response to the Prime Minister's announcements on social care at Labour Party Conference
Natasha Curry responds to the Prime Minister's comments at the Labour Party Conference.
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 25/09/2026
As in times past, Labour made improving the NHS a key part of its platform for government at the last general election. Two years on, what are the prospects for improvement? @leonoramerry.bsky.social compares the position of two Labour governments to find out 👇
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Things can only get better? But this is not the 1990s
As new analysis this week compares the NHS that Labour inherited in 1997 with the health service in 2024 – both landmark years for the party after coming to power after a long time in opposition – Leo...
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I wish @mancunianmedic.bsky.social would tell us what he really thinks... "I am sure [Dash] will argue, as the career management consultant that she was, that we can do it all with better processes and management and data—which are all important—but that is bollocks without solving the other issues”
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 15/09/2026
What are the government's prospects for improving public satisfaction with the NHS? @leonoramerry.bsky.social says that comparing the 2024 and 1997 Labour governments shows negative attitudes are not set in stone, but turning things around may be even tougher today. buff.ly/phsEOqp
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Things can only get better? But this is not the 1990s
As new analysis this week compares the NHS that Labour inherited in 1997 with the health service in 2024 – both landmark years for the party after coming to power after a long time in opposition –…
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
In case you missed it earlier in the week, my Britpop inspired look at why recovering public satisfaction will be considerably tougher for Burnham’s Government than it was for New Labour
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
In which I had a great deal of fun identifying Britpop era songs for this blog on NHS satisfaction in the 1990s and now, which draws on a new @natcen.bsky.social chapter co-authored by Sir John Curtice and our BSA teams at the @nuffieldtrust.org.uk and @thekingsfund.bsky.social
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
John Appleby @jappleby123.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Excellent piece (and great pop-based subheads!) from @leonoramerry.bsky.social on state of public satisfaction with NHS in 1997 and 2024 and the difficulties in improving satisfaction now compared to 30 years ago
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lawrencedunhill.bsky.social @lawrencedunhill.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Reasons for NHS optimism from @leonoramerry.bsky.social - Recent uptick in satisfaction (from v low point) - Positive recent increases in scores in various patient services -The NHS has been knocked down before, but it got up again (1990s spirit in more ways than one) @natcen.bsky.social
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Matt Jones @mattpjones.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Read today's blog for an important update on our work to scrutinise the evidence for better health care.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 24/08/2026
🆕 Dentists drift to the private sector: 1 in 10 #NHS dental practices have abandoned the NHS general dentistry contract since 2017. 🦷 The decline in NHS #dentistry has been particurlay steep in the South West and East of England. Read our analysis: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/th...
Map of England showing the percentage change in dental practices offering NHS general dentistry between 2016/17 and 2025/26, by integrated care board (ICB). The number of practices fell in almost all areas, with an average decline of 10% across England. Changes range from a 27% decrease to a 1% increase, with the largest declines concentrated in the South West. Source: Nuffield Trust analysis of CQC active-location and NHS BSA contractor files.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 06/08/2026
@theasrstein.bsky.social and @leonoramerry.bsky.social set out six tests Yvette Cooper should apply to her inheritance as Secretary of State. Read the blog 👇 buff.ly/zLvU1ZV
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Truth over triumphalism: Yvette Cooper must paint fuller picture of NHS progress than her predecessors
With Yvette Cooper announced this week as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Thea Stein and Leonora Merry argue she will need to be honest about what is real progress in the NHS…
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
This is a really good short primer on the social care issue www.ft.com/content/c314...
ft.com
Why is England unable to fix social care?
The failure of successive governments to confront the problem carries a heavy political cost
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
steve the skeptic @policyskeptic.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Excellent summary of the big challenges for the New Health secretary. I wish I'd written it! 😉
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 23/07/2026
NEW: With Yvette Cooper the new health and care secretary, @theasrstein.bsky.social & @leonoramerry.bsky.social argue she will need to be clear-eyed & honest about what is real progress in the NHS and what is not – with 6 tests in particular to look out for. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/tr...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Truth over triumphalism: Yvette Cooper must paint fuller picture of NHS progress than her predecessors
With Yvette Cooper announced this week as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Thea Stein and Leonora Merry argue she will need to be honest about what is real progress in the NHS an...
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 21/07/2026
Our chief exec @theasrstein.bsky.social has commented on new PM Andy Burnham's remarks on social care reform, and reflected on the challenges ahead for the new Secretary of State, Yvette Cooper. Read Thea's view 👇
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
No time for a honeymoon: Nuffield Trust commentary on social care reform and new Secretary of State
Thea Stein responds to the new Prime Minister’s comments on social care and the announcement of a new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 01/07/2026
Trust remains central to what think tanks do, but audience expectations and how people consume information are changing. This @wonkcomms.bsky.social blog has insights from @leonoramerry.bsky.social on how to build trust in a fragmented information environment www.designbysoapbox.com/how-think-ta...
designbysoapbox.com
How think tanks can build trust in a fragmented information environment
How do think tanks build trust in an increasingly fragmented information environment? Speakers from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Institute for Government and the Nuffield Trust shared...
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 11/06/2026
TODAY at 13:00: Join @leonoramerry.bsky.social and panelists to check the pulse of public attitudes towards the NHS at #ConfedExpo. Leonora co-authored our analysis of this year's #BritishSocialAttitudes Survey with The King's Fund, and will be chairing this timely discussion. buff.ly/H0I65B2
fsmevents.uk
NHS ConfedExpo | Live Sessions
No sessions match that search.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 21/05/2026
NEW: Too many older teenagers face difficulties and confusion when moving from paediatric to adult health services. @leonoramerry.bsky.social and Ronny Cheung discuss the most pragmatic solution to a problem that must be solved. @rcpch.bsky.social #RCPCH26 www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/to...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Too old for paediatrics, too young for adult services: the problem that must be solved
Too many older teenagers face difficulties when moving from paediatric to adult health services, with conflicting approaches across the NHS making it impossible for some young people to know who reall...
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
There will be a lot of hot takes on Wes Streeting's record as Health Secretary flying around today. I am biased, but I reckon this will be one of the most insightful, by @markgdayan.bsky.social of the @nuffieldtrust.org.uk Trust, so make sure to have a read www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wh...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
What can Wes Streeting’s successor learn from his record on the NHS and social care?
With Wes Streeting moving on from his role as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Mark Dayan looks back at his tenure and picks out the key lessons that his successor would do well to h...
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Remember when it used to be a bit of a novelty when politics became all dramatic and Traitors-esque? Now I’m longing for some dry policy discussion and a nice dose of cross party consensus.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Thought this was a model response from @celiarichardson.bsky.social to a pretty harsh article in the Spectator about the National Trust
Celia Richardson • • 2nd
Director of Communications and F...
6h・
The National Trust is run by 'infantilised morons' according to a spectator article published this weekend.
•+ Connect
It is of course entirely reasonable to question how organisations like the National Trust serve the public.
But I found myself less struck by the argument and more by the tone.
During the school holidays this year the National Trust will be hosting Pokemon adventures for children and families in beautiful historic landscapes and gardens.
I'm one of the morons behind the decision.
This isn't something unique. From the Van Gogh Museum to the Natural History Museum, and city-wide experiences that lead visitors around landmarks like the Louvre, it's a global pattern of cultural organisations experimenting with how people encounter heritage.
We know from their writers that articles attacking the National Trust get a lot of clicks for the Telegraph and Spectator, so we tend to expect more negative headlines than other culture, heritage and nature charities.There's a serious discussion to be had about how heritage organisations balance conservation, interpretation and access. That includes how we invite in children and young families-often their first step into places they may come to love for life.
We won't all agree on how these places should be enjoyed and critics have every right to voice strong opinions. But I think we share a common goal: that the places continue to matter to people, and are cared for long into the future.
The tone we choose shapes the debate and the kind of public life we create, around our institutions and everywhere.
I'd like to think we can hold ourselves and each other to a standard that is both robust and respectful.
Much of the article is behind a paywall. But anyone can read the opening abuse of our staff for free. And there is a cost to this kind of commentary.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 14/04/2026
🆕 With the 10-year health plan criticised for lacking detail, the neighbourhood health framework was meant to fill some gaps. @sjanereed.bsky.social and @becksfisher.bsky.social unpack the good, the bad and the more puzzling parts of what’s in it. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/un...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Unpacking the neighbourhood health framework: the good, the bad and the puzzling
With the 10-year health plan criticised for lacking detail on how the litany of initiatives and ideas within it will be delivered, the recently published neighbourhood health framework was meant to he...
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
What started as a conversation about information and data ended up as a conversation about beliefs and humanity. I wrote some words about our panel discussion last week about trust, information and polarised views. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/fo... Photo (c) Emile Holba 2026
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Matt Jones @mattpjones.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
We're kicking off day 2 of #ntsummit with a powerful talk from @teuntoebes.bsky.social Tune in: events.zoom.us/ev/AleCC_gRU...
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 05/03/2026
Baroness Casey tells #ntsummit that a public mandate is needed for social care to finally get the action it needs. ▶️ Watch our Summit livestream: 👉 buff.ly/9RtiYiq 📽️ Find the recording as soon as it's available via our YouTube channel: 👉 buff.ly/YrLrtEW
Baroness Casey tells the Nuffield Trust Summit: "For all the reforms and reviews that we’ve seen, none of them have had the full political backing that was needed. Social care has never had its own creation moment. Instead we’ve inherited a system from a different age, without ever having the moment of reckoning that we now need." Watch our Zoom livestream and find the recordings via our YouTube channel.
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 05/03/2026
NEXT: Baroness Casey will share insights from her ongoing independent review into adult social care in England at #ntsummit. Watch for free via Zoom. 👉 buff.ly/9RtiYiq
2:15pm on Thursday 5 March: what should a reformed adult social care system look like? Follow the link to watch.
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Big moment for social care as Baroness Louise Casey makes her first ever speech about the Adult social care commission. Chuffed that she chooses our small but mighty @nuffieldtrust.org.uk think tank to make it
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David Oliver @mancunianmedic.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Prof Martin Marshall @nuffieldtrust.org.uk chair Opening the annual #ntsummit The health policy event highlight of the year It is a real privilege to be a trustee and board member of this fantastic organisation And speaker line up for the next two days is fantastic
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The stage is set, quite literally, for the @nuffieldtrust.org.uk summit. Already trails of Louise Casey’s speech on the Today programme. Delegates arriving. Breakfast eaten. Good luck team Nuffield!
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
What an amazing panel I will have the privilege of chairing tomorrow at the Nuffield Trust summit, looking at polarisation and the fragmented information environment. You can tune in via the live stream here: events.zoom.us/ev/AleCC_gRU...
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 05/02/2026
EVENT: On Wednesday 11 February, our Senior Policy Analyst @sallygainsbury.bsky.social will be joining a @lshtm.bsky.social event about planned changes to the NICE threshold , organised by the Global Health Economics Centre. Explore the full programme and register. 👇
buff.ly
How should health be valued in UK policy evaluation? | LSHTM
The UK cost-per-QALY threshold remains a pivotal component of health technology assessment (HTA). Yet its meaning, credibility, and operational role are increasingly contested. The threshold is often
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 30/12/2025
We are so proud of our fantastic Deputy Director of Policy Natasha Curry who has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours for services to social care policy. Congratulations Natasha! www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/na...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Natasha Curry awarded MBE
We are delighted that Natasha Curry has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours.
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 16/12/2025
Two years on from a landmark Nuffield Trust report on the near-terminal decline of NHS dentistry, our Chief Executive @theasrstein.bsky.social responds to today's government proposals to improve urgent dental care. Read the statement 👇
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Nuffield Trust response to proposals to improve dental care for those with most urgent needs
Thea Stein responds to the government’s proposals to improve dental care for people with the most urgent needs.
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 11/12/2025
📻 Coming up on Radio 4 at 4pm, hear from our Policy Analyst @markgdayan.bsky.social on #TheBriefingRoom. With more strikes planned and a new offer on the table to try to end the dispute, this episode will unpick some of the key issues for resident doctors at the moment.
buff.ly
BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, Why are early career doctors angry?
Why is there a shortage of training posts for resident doctors?
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Reposted by Leonora Merry
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 02/12/2025
What are the risks and opportunities of abolishing NHS England? Our report with @nuffieldtrust.org.uk sets out how the government can get the process of NHS reform right www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Abolished to perfection? Building a better centre for the NHS | Institute for Government
The abolition of NHS England creates both risks and opportunities.
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Important piece here from Sally and LSE's Huseyin Naci, which sets out a different perspective to the vocal calls for the UK Govt to spend more on branded medicines. Well worth a read for anyone trying to make sense of the current drug pricing row
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
The brilliant @theasrstein.bsky.social on the elephant in the room about the NHS - facing trade offs about what *isn’t* possible when the limits of what *could be* possible are endless. At our #Lab25 fringe with @kiranstacey.bsky.social @lewisatkinson.bsky.social & @kingsfundlibrary.bsky.social
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David Oliver @mancunianmedic.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Just re-sharing this superlative, timely and important report from @nuffieldtrust.org.uk www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/ass...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
Assisted dying in practice: International experiences and implications for health and social care
Exploring 15 jurisdictions across the world, this is the most detailed look to date at what the UK can learn from other countries as the UK and Scottish Parliaments debate bills to legalise assisted d...
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Helen Buckingham @hbuckingham.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Pithy and pointed. There's another strapline for you @leonoramerry.bsky.social
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Thea Stein's riposte to Wes Streeting's comments on R4 about the league tables and our commentary here: linkedin.com/feed/update/.... Meanwhile I'm mulling a new tagline for the next rebrand: "Elitist nonsense for better healthcare". Has a ring to it.
linkedin.com
This morning the government unveiled new league tables for all providers across the NHS. Interviewed on Radio 4 this morning, Secretary of State Wes Streeting described our concern that league tables…...
This morning the government unveiled new league tables for all providers across the NHS. Interviewed on Radio 4 this morning, Secretary of State Wes Streeting described our concern that league tables ...
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Ellie Pearson-Martin @elliemartin.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
We’re 2 weeks out from the Lords debate on #AssistedDying, so now is the time to start thinking in more detail about how this service would actually work if it becomes legal. Great to have Nuffield Trust researchers out on the airwaves sharing insights from other countries today.
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Absolutely brilliant job here for a top notch researcher/policy analyst. Join our fantastic team and work on some of the most pressing issues facing public policy in the UK today 👇. Please share with your networks!
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 23/07/2025
We've updated our explainer on doctors' pay in England 👨‍⚕️ It includes this analysis of real-terms changes to resident doctors' pay since 2010/11. We also explore longer-term trends in doctors' pay, and how it compares with the wider economy and UK countries. Read the explainer: buff.ly/sFnmx8x
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Kieran Walshe @kieranwalshe.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
A must-read on the underlying problems of a life sciences strategy based on selling more (and more expensive) stuff to the NHS, and an NHS plan which envisages saving £££ through efficiencies and prevention. It doesn't add up.
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Leonora Merry @leonoramerry.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
If you read nothing else on the life sciences strategy and ten year heath plan, read this. Beautifully written, clearly argued and really important thinking from the brilliant @sallygainsbury.bsky.social 👇
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