Setting priorities in health
A study of English primary care trusts
Research report: Suzanne Robinson, Helen Dickinson, Iestyn Williams, Tim Freeman, Benedict Rumbold and Katie Spence
Health Services Management Centre,
September 2011
Available online PDF [84p] at: http://bit.ly/nJstO4
The research reported in this document was designed to map the priority-setting activities taking place across the National Health Service (NHS) in
The questions that provided the basis for the research were as follows:
• What priority-setting tools, processes and activities are practised currently as part of the commissioning processes of English primary care trusts (PCTs)?
• What barriers are experienced by PCTs seeking to implement explicit priority setting, and how are these being addressed?
• What other strengths and weaknesses can be identified in current priority-setting practice?
• What learning can be derived that will be instructive for future priority setting within the NHS and elsewhere?
Content:
Key messages from the research
1. Background and context
Understanding priority setting
Priority setting and commissioning
The challenges facing priority-setters
Research on local priority setting in
Research scope and aims
2. Methodology
Stage 1: National survey
Stage 2: In-depth case studies
Data collection
Data analysis and reporting
Setting priorities in health: a study of English primary care trusts
3. Priority setting: the national picture
Developments in local priority-setting processes
Remit and scope of priority-setting arrangements
Stakeholder involvement in decision making
Use of evidence and decision tools
Use of decision tools in priority setting
Strengths and weaknesses of priority-setting processes
Disinvestment decisions
4. In-depth exploration of priority setting
Rationale for forming priority-setting processes
Key features of the case study priority-setting processes
Formal decision criteria
Decision processes
Role of discussion and deliberation
Technocratic approaches to aid priority setting: the evidence-based approach
Stakeholder involvement in priority setting
Engagement and involvement of health and social care organisations
Engagement and involvement of the public and patients
Implementation
Leadership
Overall coherence and ‘success’ of priority-setting processes
Response to the White Paper: the impact of government reforms on priority setting
5. Discussion
Decision tools
Outcomes of priority-setting work
Non-technical dimensions of priority setting
Engaging stakeholders and the public
Political dimensions of priority setting
Leadership
Information resources and expertise
Impact of government reforms on priority setting
6. Conclusions and recommendations
Key policy drivers
Governance
Technical challenges
System-wide approach to priority-setting
Political realities
Recommendations
References
Appendix: Different types of priority-setting activity to be considered
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho
* * *
This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues. [DD/ KMC Area]
“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO Website
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho
IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended
recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or
confidential information. If you are not the intended
recipient or a person responsible for delivering this
transmission to the intended recipient, you may not
disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take
any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission
in error, please dispose of and delete this transmission.
Thank you.
