Category: NHS

Supporting partnership working in local communities

Strong partnership working is essential for improving health and wellbeing, especially when challenges are complex and cross organisational boundaries.

A new 2025 report from The Kings Fund shares learning from the Healthy Communities Together programme. Drawing on real experience of setting up and running the programme, the report offers practical insight into what helps partnerships work well at a local level.

Key themes include the importance of trust, shared purpose and clear relationships, as well as the time and support needed to build partnerships that feel meaningful rather than transactional. The learning is particularly relevant for those working across health, local government, voluntary sector and community organisations, where collaboration is central to tackling health inequalities.

This report provides useful guidance for anyone involved in developing or supporting partnership working and offers realistic reflections on both the opportunities and the challenges involved.

The full report is freely available online: How To Support Partnership Working | The King’s Fund

Securing the NHS Workforce for the Future

The King’s Fund has published a detailed set of recommendations to help secure the future NHS workforce. The work recognises that people are the NHS’s greatest resource and that real progress depends on strong plans, good leadership and meaningful engagement with staff.

The report highlights key areas such as improving staff health and wellbeing, fostering compassionate leadership, and giving staff a voice in decision making. It also calls for workforce planning that is realistic about training times, shifts in where care is delivered, and the skills needed for new technologies.

For anyone interested in how the NHS can build a skilled and resilient workforce that delivers better care, this long read offers practical insights and thoughtful proposals.

Read the full piece from the King’s Fund here: Securing The NHS Workforce For The Future: Our Recommendations For Action | The King’s Fund

Supporting the research workforce across the NHS

A new briefing from NHS Providers brings together practical examples of how trusts are strengthening and supporting their research workforce. The resource highlights real world approaches that organisations have used to build research into everyday workforce planning, create opportunities for staff, and embed a culture of enquiry and innovation.

For teams interested in growing their research activity, the briefing offers clear and replicable ideas that can help services develop staff skills, improve evidence based practice, and support better outcomes for patients and communities.

Read more: Schemes for supporting the research workforce

Exploring the future of AI in NHS system leadership

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board is looking ahead at how artificial intelligence could support better decision making across health services.

In a recent article, Shaukat Ali Khan, executive chief digital and information officer at the board, shared a vision for using AI at a strategic level. The focus is not on replacing people, but on using technology to help leaders understand demand, plan services more effectively, and improve outcomes for communities.

As AI continues to develop across the NHS, conversations like this help shape how technology can be used safely, ethically, and in ways that place people and patient care first.

Read more: A future vision for AI in system leadership at NHS West Yorkshire ICB | UKAuthority

Supporting ADHD Services Across the NHS

NHS England has released new guidance on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation. The advisory note outlines key factors for systems to consider when managing increasing demand for ADHD assessment and support.

With referrals and waiting lists continuing to rise, the document encourages a balanced approach that prioritises those most in need, promotes consistent pathways and supports staff to deliver safe, effective and timely care.

The guidance also recognises the importance of joined up working across primary care, mental health and education settings to provide holistic support for individuals and families.

You can read the full advisory note on the NHS England website: NHS England » ADHD service delivery and prioritisation – advice to systems

Learning from Lived Experience: My Story Playlist

At Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, we know that the most powerful lessons often come directly from people with lived experience.

The My Story playlist brings together personal accounts of recovery, resilience and the challenges of living with mental ill health. These stories are not only deeply moving, they also help shape the way we deliver care and design services.

Watch Jane’s story here: Jane’s story on YouTube
Explore the full playlist: My Story on YouTube