News and Views

12/05/2023
Blog post Better use of analysis | Learning and development

Diagnosing harms?

All medicines are poisons. Everything that cures could kill if administered in the wrong doses, to the wrong people, at the wrong times, in the wrong ways.

05/01/2023
News Better use of analysis

Analysts, we need to talk about…….

The future looks incredibly promising for ana

27/09/2022
News Elective care | Inequalities | Policy | Strategy Development

Helping ICSs to reduce inequalities in access to planned care

Are there inequalities in access to planned care? If so, what are they? Which groups ‘gain’ and which groups suffer? And what could be done to address any inequalities? In pursuing their objective of reducing inequalities, what could Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) do? What strategies and approaches are likely to be successful?

16/08/2022
News Better use of analysis | Comparative Analysis | Complex Modelling | Economic Analysis | Problem Structuring

INSIGHT 2022 21st November - 2nd December

The Midlands Decision Support Network in association with The Strategy Unit are hosting INSIGHT 2022 our annual festival of learning and sharing events for the NHS, local government and other partners across health and care.

29/07/2022
Blog post Better use of analysis | Problem Structuring

What was the question again?

We hear a lot about what’s stopping the NHS making the most of its army of talented analysts. Some say we just need more data, or data of better quality. Others point to deficiencies in our infrastructure, IT kit or the software we use. But I’m not so sure. For me the biggest shortfall is in good questions that we can feasibly address.

26/07/2022
News Complex Modelling | Elective care | Inequalities

Inequalities in access to healthcare - what’s our next move?

Our research, published in the Lancet Regional Health Europe, highlights substantial inequities in access to elective hip replacement surgery. We found no evidence that these inequities reduced between 2006 and 2016.

09/05/2022
News Elective care | Inequalities

Strategies to reduce inequalities in access to planned hospital procedures

UPDATE 10th August: Now including briefing note for Integrated Care Boards on legal duties in respect of reducing inequalities. This report guides ICBs through the process.

28/04/2022
News Better use of analysis

We saw them before they were famous: reflections on AphA’s away day

In June 1976, the Sex Pistols played Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall.

30/03/2022
News Better use of analysis

‘Developing your ICS Intelligence Functions’: A Free Webinar Series

What is an ‘Intelligence Function’? What value can they add to decision making? How can they be configured and who needs to be involved? What lessons can be drawn from current practice?

03/02/2022
News Better use of analysis | Futures thinking | Learning and development

Decision makers can make much better use of analysis

Part of the Strategy Unit mission is to improve the use of analysis in decision making. Current use is, to employ a euphemism, variable.

09/11/2021
Blog post Better use of analysis | Learning and development

The Intellectual Forum: a source of fresh perspectives on decision making

The literature on decision making is like a disaster movie highlights reel. Barely has one calamity registered before another serious misstep takes its place. Case study after case study flashes past, each with its own lessons and warnings.

01/11/2021
News Better use of analysis | Inequalities | Learning and development | Policy

Insight 2021

The Midlands Decision Support Network in association with The Strategy Unit hosted INSIGHT 2021 our annual festival of learning and sharing events for the NHS, local government and other partners across health and care (4th – 15th October).