Evaluating the NHS ‘business case’ investment process in the West

CLAHRC West has just received ethical and Health Research Authority approval to evaluate the local NHS ‘business case’ investment process. Approximately £4 million was allocated for service development in 2016/17, although the current financial crisis in the NHS means that the majority of investments considered will be ‘invest to save’ proposals.

Using ethnographic methods researchers will conduct systematic observations of decision-making forums and interview key decision-makers to gain a thorough understanding of the decision-making process. CLAHRC West is particularly interested in understanding how information about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of proposed service developments are presented and understood by decision-makers, and the overall importance of this information in the prioritisation process.

An important element of the study will be to identify areas where decision-makers could be better supported to make decisions, resulting in a more effective and cost-effective allocation of NHS resources. CLAHRC West may also lead in developing a training intervention for commissioners.