The King's Fund launches general election microsite

6.38.00am GMT Mon 1st Mar 2010

The future of the NHS is set to remain a key political issue during the next parliament. With polling showing that health care is second only to the economy in terms of the issues that will influence the way people vote, it will also be at the heart of the debate in the run up to the general election.

Whoever forms the next government will inherit an NHS facing the toughest financial period in its history. Whether or not current spending is protected, demand for services will continue to rise and the NHS needs to figure out how to do more with less - without compromising safety or quality. The incoming government will also inherit a social care system in urgent need of reform and a clear imperative to take action following recent political debate about how care for older people should be funded.

The King's Fund is an independent health policy think tank with over a century's history of expertise in health. Their work includes original research and analysis of health care issues - like NHS finances, social care and public health - providing training and leadership development to staff within the NHS and improving services by piloting and evaluating new initiatives. They also offer a wide range of resources to help everyone working in health to share knowledge and ideas via their specialist library and the website.

They will be providing up-to-the-minute objective comment and analysis of all three main parties' health policies on a dedicated microsite. You can check the site for press releases, blogs and timely analysis of the key health issues in the news.

Or you can sign up to receive email alerts about the King's Fund general election materials.

You can also access their full range of briefings and publications on the main website. Whether you want a detailed explanation of the options for social care reform, the arguments for or against polyclinics, or analysis of initiatives like patient choice and practice-based commissioning, you will find it there.

The King's Fund will be publishing a document setting out their priorities for the next government in a few weeks' time.

Meanwhile the microsite is at

http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/general_election_2010/

and KF's main website is

http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/