Change is the only constant in the world of health and care services, whether it comes from changing population health needs, service transformation or government policy. WSP has extensive experience in building the partnerships, and articulating the strategic direction necessary to navigate this type of change, and in helping people to understand if the changes that they are making are working. We use all the skills and tools at our disposal to engage effectively in a way that is sensitive to your requirements, something that our clients often congratulate us for.
WSP has conducted a number of evaluations over the years including those for:
- The ‘building on the best’ programme on behalf of the National Council for Palliative Care;
- The regional collaborative fund for Mid & West Wales;
- Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination Systems;
- Integrated neighbourhood teams in Wigan.
We work with stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of current and future needs, and the system-wide relationships that influence delivery, outcomes and experience. Our work in service transformation is often underpinned by simulation modelling which provides clients with a safe space in which to explore the potential impacts of transformation across the whole system.
Our approach to evaluation recognises the complexity and uncertainties inherent in realising any new strategic direction. We therefore ensure that any evaluation we conduct:
- Is embedded in the improvement process, providing immediate and ongoing feedback on progress. Without this, opportunities for fine tuning and revising a direction of travel in the light of emerging evidence, and sharing these findings more widely, become extremely limited;
- Triangulates a range of evidence to identify overall benefits. This means we take note of the obvious quantifiable benefits, but also the more qualitative elements of service delivery. For the latter, we use our own relational value tool as an indicator of how people experience services.
We are therefore able to support the development of focused and realistic frameworks for ongoing performance management and evaluation as an integral part of service transformation. This in turn provides evidence of the impact of change as a platform for further development and improvement.
The tools that WSP use provide a distinctive array of approaches that can be tailored to local needs. A small sample of the most regularly used tools include:
- High quality research skills to explore and understand the context in which strategic choices need to be made;
- The use of simulation software to visualise and explore the impact of different strategic options;
- An underpinning of relational thinking to ensure alignment of language, understanding and a common purpose;
- Applying a thorough options appraisal methodology to ensure robust decisions.
Our work in these areas can be explored through our library of projects here. Particular areas of expertise include:
- Understanding the impact of demographic change on future needs and demands for health and social care across a whole population;
- Intermediate care;
- Mental health and learning disability services;
- The needs of an older population, including those who are frail and/or have dementia;
- Urgent care systems;
- Health promotion and prevention.
For further information please contact Peter Lacey.