Access rate variation and measuring intervention benefits for patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Analysing the effects of variation in access rates amongst patients groups in Wales and a Time Series study of the benefits of specialist interventions
IRAS ID
299045
Contact name
Kendal G Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
WHSSC want to demonstrate value for money for the interventions it commissions. This takes the form of measuring the benefits that secondary care receive from investing in WHSSC for some of its commissioned therapeutic or diagnostic interventions. The work would estimate the reductions on hospital beds, outpatient and GP appointments the interventions achieve. By using the same metrics for each intervention a comparison between different interventions could be made highlighting those that most benefit Health Boards.
For each of the interventions the plan is assess whether there is a drop in admissions for patients in the condition group relating to the intervention before and after the intervention takes place. In addition the effects of the length of stay attributable to the condition will be quantified. Changes in outpatient appointments for the same specialty and general GP appointments will also be measured. Standard costs for these interventions will be used to collate a total financial savings for each intervention that will reflect the value of this intervention to Health Boards. (Some whole life saving estimate may be attempted).
For the condition access rate analysis the pathway volumes as specific stages in the Pathway will be collated. An initial evaluation of variation between geographical areas (Health Board / clusters / LSOA’s) will be carried out focusing on outliers within each condition. Some work may be done to assess whether the variations applies to other conditions in that geographical area. The work may be further refined to look at additional stages in the pathway. The focus on the work will be on assessing the extent of variation not highlighting specific service provider performance.
REC name
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REC reference
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