David Buck
@davidjbuck.bsky.social
Senior fellow in public health and health inequalities at The King's Fund (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/). Bit of a magpie, don't necessarily agree with those i (re)share. Also over at twitter @davidjbuck.
Mission government, why it failed. Interesting piece from @re-state.bsky.social. Don't agree on all of it, do agree no clear change mechanism. And health mission has narrowed to an NHS 10 year 'health' plan. Tx @natalieberry.bsky.social for alerting. restate.substack.com/p/why-missio...
Why mission government failed
And what comes next
restate.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Mission government, why it failed. Interesting piece from @re-state.bsky.social. Don't agree on all of it, do agree no clear change mechanism. And health mission has narrowed to an NHS 10 year 'health' plan. Tx @natalieberry.bsky.social for alerting. restate.substack.com/p/why-missio...
Are you a highly capable analyst and communicator? Are you looking for a role that influences health policy? Then we could be looking for you. Join us @thekingsfund.bsky.social www.kingsfund.org.uk/about-us/job...
Analyst | The King's Fund
We're looking for someone to influence change in health and care policy and practice through conducting independent research and producing thought-leadership.
www.kingsfund.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Are you a highly capable analyst and communicator? Are you looking for a role that influences health policy? Then we could be looking for you. Join us @thekingsfund.bsky.social www.kingsfund.org.uk/about-us/job...
Reposted by David Buck
On 14 January Wes Streeting said that waiting lists had fallen three times faster in 20 areas of the country where crack teams had been deployed. We’ve looked at this claim and have questions. 🧵
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Waiting lists cut 3 times faster in highest joblessness areas
Waiting lists in 20 areas in England fall 3 times faster than the national average thanks to experts deployed by government to help supercharge NHS care.
www.gov.uk
February 5, 2026 at 2:29 PM
On 14 January Wes Streeting said that waiting lists had fallen three times faster in 20 areas of the country where crack teams had been deployed. We’ve looked at this claim and have questions. 🧵
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by David Buck
🇺🇸🇺🇳 #NewYork city and several U.S. states to join World Health Organization global outbreak response network in defiance of #Trump's withdrawal from @who.int
The Governors of #California and #Illinois have also said their states will join this WHO network.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
The Governors of #California and #Illinois have also said their states will join this WHO network.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
New York City joins UN health network after Trump withdrew US from WHO
The New York City Health Department on Wednesday said it has joined the World Health Organization's global outbreak response network following President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. from the ...
www.reuters.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:11 AM
🇺🇸🇺🇳 #NewYork city and several U.S. states to join World Health Organization global outbreak response network in defiance of #Trump's withdrawal from @who.int
The Governors of #California and #Illinois have also said their states will join this WHO network.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
The Governors of #California and #Illinois have also said their states will join this WHO network.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Reposted by David Buck
Picking the right metrics is going to be important.
E.g. 10-year survival can be improved without anyone living longer through ineffective screening which just starts the clock sooner.
The current target around % diagnosed at stage I or II has the same problem.
E.g. 10-year survival can be improved without anyone living longer through ineffective screening which just starts the clock sooner.
The current target around % diagnosed at stage I or II has the same problem.
The government is right to place cancer reform alongside elective recovery as a core NHS priority, signalling serious ambition. But delivering on these targets will depend on workforce capacity and sustainable funding.
Three-quarters of cancer patients in England to survive by 2035 under new plans
February 4, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Picking the right metrics is going to be important.
E.g. 10-year survival can be improved without anyone living longer through ineffective screening which just starts the clock sooner.
The current target around % diagnosed at stage I or II has the same problem.
E.g. 10-year survival can be improved without anyone living longer through ineffective screening which just starts the clock sooner.
The current target around % diagnosed at stage I or II has the same problem.
+ the productivity conundrum in the NHS - 18% increase in clinical staff since 2021 and acute productivity below pre-covid levels = too little capital?
February 4, 2026 at 9:40 AM
+ the productivity conundrum in the NHS - 18% increase in clinical staff since 2021 and acute productivity below pre-covid levels = too little capital?
ICYMI: How the Department of Health and Social Care spends it's huge £200bn+ budget - from @nao.org.uk review of the dept www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
February 4, 2026 at 9:31 AM
ICYMI: How the Department of Health and Social Care spends it's huge £200bn+ budget - from @nao.org.uk review of the dept www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
Reposted by David Buck
Never knew Stalin was a big walkability and cycling guy
February 1, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Never knew Stalin was a big walkability and cycling guy
Reposted by David Buck
Poverty is deepening.
🔎 Our #UKPoverty2026 report was launched this morning.
People in very deep poverty now make up the biggest group of people in poverty, at 6.8 million people.
This is unacceptable for the fifth richest country in the world, and it has consequences.
🔎 Our #UKPoverty2026 report was launched this morning.
People in very deep poverty now make up the biggest group of people in poverty, at 6.8 million people.
This is unacceptable for the fifth richest country in the world, and it has consequences.
January 27, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Poverty is deepening.
🔎 Our #UKPoverty2026 report was launched this morning.
People in very deep poverty now make up the biggest group of people in poverty, at 6.8 million people.
This is unacceptable for the fifth richest country in the world, and it has consequences.
🔎 Our #UKPoverty2026 report was launched this morning.
People in very deep poverty now make up the biggest group of people in poverty, at 6.8 million people.
This is unacceptable for the fifth richest country in the world, and it has consequences.
Good news!!! > BBC News - Homicides at lowest level in nearly 50 years, ONS says
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Homicides at lowest level in nearly 50 years, ONS statistics show
The 499 cases of murder and manslaughter in the year to September are the lowest in England and Wales since 1977.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Good news!!! > BBC News - Homicides at lowest level in nearly 50 years, ONS says
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Buck
Improving health in deprived communities is essential for economic growth. Poor health limits participation in the labour market and drives inequalities.
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4agYFPE
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4agYFPE
January 28, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Improving health in deprived communities is essential for economic growth. Poor health limits participation in the labour market and drives inequalities.
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4agYFPE
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4agYFPE
Reposted by David Buck
TOMORROW | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England?
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
January 28, 2026 at 3:48 PM
TOMORROW | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England?
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Reposted by David Buck
"Today’s update is long overdue & means the new ad restrictions will apply to a much wider range of food & drink. This is important because we know that advertising drives consumption of unhealthy products."
👀Read our response in full ➡️www.adph.org.uk
obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
👀Read our response in full ➡️www.adph.org.uk
obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
Government Publishes Long-Awaited Update to Nutrient Profiling Model - Obesity Health Alliance
Today (27th January 2026) an update to the Nutrient Profiling Model has been published, ending the long wait for this fundamental tool to be brought in line with the latest dietary guidance. The Nutr...
obesityhealthalliance.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM
"Today’s update is long overdue & means the new ad restrictions will apply to a much wider range of food & drink. This is important because we know that advertising drives consumption of unhealthy products."
👀Read our response in full ➡️www.adph.org.uk
obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
👀Read our response in full ➡️www.adph.org.uk
obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
Reposted by David Buck
Improving health in deprived communities is essential for economic growth. Poor health limits participation in the labour market and drives inequalities.
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment.
Read more⬇️
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment.
Read more⬇️
Health at the heart of local growth
Improving people’s health is an economic necessity. Our briefing shares some of the ways public health and economic development teams can work together to incorporate health into local growth strategies.
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Improving health in deprived communities is essential for economic growth. Poor health limits participation in the labour market and drives inequalities.
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment.
Read more⬇️
Our new briefing shows how local teams can embed health into strategies on skills, good work and investment.
Read more⬇️
Reposted by David Buck
Those below the poverty line are, increasingly, well below it
New @statspeter.bsky.social @katieschmuecker.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social study
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
New @statspeter.bsky.social @katieschmuecker.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social study
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Record number of people in UK live in ‘very deep poverty’, analysis shows
Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds problem is ‘deeper and more damaging than at any point in the last 30 years’
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Those below the poverty line are, increasingly, well below it
New @statspeter.bsky.social @katieschmuecker.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social study
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
New @statspeter.bsky.social @katieschmuecker.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social study
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by David Buck
Today the government has published an update to the Nutrient Profiling Model ending years of waiting for this fundamental tool to catch up with modern dietary advice.
Read our Executive Director, Katharine Jenner’s response below & find out more here ⬇️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
Read our Executive Director, Katharine Jenner’s response below & find out more here ⬇️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
Government Publishes Long-Awaited Update to Nutrient Profiling Model - Obesity Health Alliance
Today an update to the Nutrient Profiling Model has been published, ending the long wait for this fundamental tool to be brought in line with the latest dietary guidance. The Nutrient Profiling Model...
obesityhealthalliance.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Today the government has published an update to the Nutrient Profiling Model ending years of waiting for this fundamental tool to catch up with modern dietary advice.
Read our Executive Director, Katharine Jenner’s response below & find out more here ⬇️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
Read our Executive Director, Katharine Jenner’s response below & find out more here ⬇️ obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2026/01/27/g...
Reposted by David Buck
Join us on 28 January for an online webinar on child health, hosted by FPH’s Children & Young People SIG/BACAPH.
Featuring Dr Lucy Pickard Sullivan, the event will explore individual medicine, population health, and integrated care for children in South East London.
www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Featuring Dr Lucy Pickard Sullivan, the event will explore individual medicine, population health, and integrated care for children in South East London.
www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Child health webinar
The Faculty of Public Health's Children & Young People SIG/The British Association for Child and Adolescent Public Health is hosting hosting an online webinar on child health.
This session will explo...
www.fph.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Join us on 28 January for an online webinar on child health, hosted by FPH’s Children & Young People SIG/BACAPH.
Featuring Dr Lucy Pickard Sullivan, the event will explore individual medicine, population health, and integrated care for children in South East London.
www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Featuring Dr Lucy Pickard Sullivan, the event will explore individual medicine, population health, and integrated care for children in South East London.
www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Reposted by David Buck
"Public health’s greatest hits were never just solo tracks."
In a blog published by @local.gov.uk, ADPH Board Member & Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Matt Ashton, explains why putting health in ALL policies is vital to improving health ⬇️
www.local.gov.uk/topics/socia...
In a blog published by @local.gov.uk, ADPH Board Member & Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Matt Ashton, explains why putting health in ALL policies is vital to improving health ⬇️
www.local.gov.uk/topics/socia...
Whole systems approaches in public health: from framework to movement
In this blog, Professor Matthew Ashton discusses how whole system public health can spark real change, uniting partners, communities, and evidence to build fairer, healthier places where everyone can ...
www.local.gov.uk
January 23, 2026 at 5:18 PM
"Public health’s greatest hits were never just solo tracks."
In a blog published by @local.gov.uk, ADPH Board Member & Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Matt Ashton, explains why putting health in ALL policies is vital to improving health ⬇️
www.local.gov.uk/topics/socia...
In a blog published by @local.gov.uk, ADPH Board Member & Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Matt Ashton, explains why putting health in ALL policies is vital to improving health ⬇️
www.local.gov.uk/topics/socia...
Has anyone been lucky enough to see one in the wild? haggiswildlifefoundation.com/finding-wild...
Finding Wild Haggis In Scotland - Haggis Wildlife Foundation
Finding Wild Haggis In Scotland. If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of wild haggis, you'll need to head to the Scottish Hillsides.
haggiswildlifefoundation.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Has anyone been lucky enough to see one in the wild? haggiswildlifefoundation.com/finding-wild...
Reposted by David Buck
"many health systems have promoted self-care and self-management as solutions, which can expand autonomy in some contexts but often transfer responsibility to individuals without providing the time, resources, or support needed to carry that burden well" 🎯
January 23, 2026 at 9:52 AM
"many health systems have promoted self-care and self-management as solutions, which can expand autonomy in some contexts but often transfer responsibility to individuals without providing the time, resources, or support needed to carry that burden well" 🎯
Not the most important thing to comment on, but the new @metoffice.gov.uk #weatherapp is terrible, unclear, needlessly animated and confusing. Please give me an option to return to the simple, crisp, version. #keepitsimple
January 22, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Not the most important thing to comment on, but the new @metoffice.gov.uk #weatherapp is terrible, unclear, needlessly animated and confusing. Please give me an option to return to the simple, crisp, version. #keepitsimple
Reposted by David Buck
In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney says middle powers such as Canada must accept that the rules-based international order is effectively dead, and great power rivalry with is here to stay. Key excerpt:
January 20, 2026 at 3:48 PM
In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney says middle powers such as Canada must accept that the rules-based international order is effectively dead, and great power rivalry with is here to stay. Key excerpt:
Reposted by David Buck
This is the week that the US withdrawal from the WHO is supposed to be finalized
I spoke with @npr.org about how damaging the withdrawal will be, especially since RFK Jr has greatly weakened US national capacity to tackle health emergencies
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
I spoke with @npr.org about how damaging the withdrawal will be, especially since RFK Jr has greatly weakened US national capacity to tackle health emergencies
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
The divorce between the U.S. and WHO is final this week. Or is it?
The U.S. is the only country allowed to withdraw from the World Health Organization. And Jan. 22 is the day when Trump's pullout announcement should go into effect. But ... it's complicated.
www.npr.org
January 20, 2026 at 4:40 PM
This is the week that the US withdrawal from the WHO is supposed to be finalized
I spoke with @npr.org about how damaging the withdrawal will be, especially since RFK Jr has greatly weakened US national capacity to tackle health emergencies
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...
I spoke with @npr.org about how damaging the withdrawal will be, especially since RFK Jr has greatly weakened US national capacity to tackle health emergencies
www.npr.org/2026/01/20/g...