Birmingham researchers will analyse the impacts on UK Government policy of taking preventative measures rather than relying on expensive crisis management.
University of Birmingham experts will evaluate UK government policies in healthcare and criminal justice.
University of Birmingham experts have secured Cabinet Office funding to deliver research evaluating UK government policies in healthcare and criminal justice.
Birmingham researchers have received £335,000 from Phase 4 of the Evaluation Accelerator Fund (EAF) to carry out evaluation of the impacts of preventative policies rather than relying on expensive crisis management.
Health experts will examine the impact of NHS elective surgery Hubs on surgical volume, safety, and preparedness. Social scientists will analyse the impact of Out of Court Resolution (OOCR) diversion options on reoffending and recontact with the police.
Elective surgery is the backbone of the NHS, returning people to work, improving quality of life, and reducing the need for emergency care. Proving to the UK taxpayer whether elective surgery Hubs have been good value for money is a critical part of supporting this nationwide infrastructure into the future.
Researchers from the Surgical Data Institute will look at data on surgical volume, safety, and preparedness to consider how ready the UK is for future pandemics, climate change, conflicts, and annual winter pressures.
Experts will also consider adoption and readiness for robotic surgery in the Hubs – delivering a performance report to support a scalable, future-proof surgical model aligned to the mission of ‘Building an NHS Fit for the Future’.
Professor Aneel Bhangu commented: “Elective surgery is the backbone of the NHS, returning people to work, improving quality of life, and reducing the need for emergency care. Proving to the UK taxpayer whether elective surgery Hubs have been good value for money is a critical part of supporting this nationwide infrastructure into the future.”
With growing evidence around the effectiveness of out of court resolutions, it is time to mainstream some practices while allowing for local innovations. This will contribute to the Government’s Safer Streets Mission.
Researchers from the Centre for Crime, Justice and Policing, supported by academics from Brunel University and University of York, will evaluate how diversions that led to cases being closed under OCCR as Outcome 22 affects individuals’ future behaviour. Outcome 22 is used for incidents where no further action is taken, and a diversionary intervention is used to address offending behaviour or prevent further offending.
Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay commented: “With growing evidence around the effectiveness of out of court resolutions, it is time to mainstream some practices while allowing for local innovations. This will contribute to the Government’s Safer Streets Mission.”
The team’s evaluation will involve a four-month scoping phase, followed by a six-month pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. This impact analysis will be supplemented by the development of a cost effectiveness framework.
The EAF is managed by the Evaluation Task Force, a joint Cabinet Office-HM Treasury unit providing specialist support to ensure evidence and evaluation sits at the heart of spending decisions. The EAF supports research and evaluation projects that inform public spending or policy decisions. Projects can tackle evidence gaps in government priority areas or provide robust evidence of financial or efficiency savings from new policies, interventions, or innovative approaches to service.
Professor of Economics
Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay is an internationally recognised economist in the field of political economy and public policy.
Professor of Global Surgery and Surgical Systems
Staff profile for Mr Aneel Bhangu, Professor of Global Surgery & Consultant Surgeon, Department of Applied Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health
