Strategic planning and decision making

Our work in this area focuses on the ways in which decisions are made and services are strategically planned in a context of financial pressures and multiple goals.

 

It covers topics such as:

  • The challenge of achieving equitable health care access and outcomes and the role of evidence in this.
  • The commissioning and/or strategic planning function as a means of securing desired health care outcomes for populations.
  • The role of public and other engagement activities in priority setting in health and care.
  • The challenges of decommissioning medicines, services and health care organisations.

To this end, HSMC works to develop theory, empirical understanding and practical wisdom on the theme of decision making and strategic planning. This means collaborating nationally and internationally with academic, policy and practitioner partners.

Contact: Iestyn Williams

Our Research

Current and recent research projects from this work area include:


Dissemination and Impact

In September 2016, HSMC hosted the 11th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Priorities in Health. The Department also regularly organises or contributes to knowledge sharing events and programmes nationally and internationally. These include:

  • Co-hosting an event on 'Choosing Wisely' with the UK Health Finance Managers Association (2016)
  • Providing a keynote lecture at the Swedish National Conference on Priorities in Health
  • Developing a good practice document for Clinical Commissioning Groups seeking to set spending priorities (ongoing - partnership with NHS Clinical Commissioners)
  • Co-hosting (with the Health Foundation) a roundtable discussion on 'Priority Setting in practice - getting the most out of your budget' (2016)

Members of the strategic planning and decision making theme

Professor Russell Mannion

Professor Russell Mannion

Professor of Health Systems
Co-director, MSc Health Policy and Management

 Russell has held the Chair in Health Systems at the University of Birmingham since 2010.  He is an Honorary Professor at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney. He was previously Director of the Centre for Health Services Management at the University of York (2005-2009) and served as a Board Director of the York Health Economics ...

Professor Judith Smith

Professor Judith Smith

Professor of Health Policy and Management

Judith Smith is Professor of Health Policy and Management. She is Director of the BRACE Rapid Evaluation Centrefunded by the National Institute for Health Research for five years (2018-2023) and involving the University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, RAND Europe, and National Voices. From 2015 until January 2022, Judith was Director of the Health Services Management ...

Professor Iestyn Williams

Professor Iestyn Williams

Professor of Health Policy and Management
Director of Research in HSMC

Iestyn is a Professor of Health Policy and Management and Director of Research for the School of Social Policy. He is involved in a range of research, teaching and knowledge transfer work and has a broad methodological experience and expertise. He specialises in social science approaches to Health Services Research, employing mixed methods study designs. He has specific expertise in: ...

 

Also in 'Research and Evaluation'