Independent rapid evidence review of resource allocation measures for rurality.

Background:

Allocation of NHS resources to geographic areas aims to provide a fair share based on consideration of population health care needs and variations in the cost of providing services.

Controversies frequently arise when stakeholders believe that resources allocation methods are failing to deliver fair local shares of resources.

What was the problem:

A geographically large PCT and associated Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) serving both rural areas and urban centres were under increasing pressure to examine the distribution of district nursing service resources. Rural communities felt that their share of resources, based on a locally developed formula, neglected to adequately consider their particular needs for district nursing.

How did PHAST help:

A PHAST health economics consultant rapidly scoped the client’s precise needs and agreed a project specification meeting the client’s required timescale.

PHAST undertook an independent rapid review of evidence relating to health care resource allocation of relevance to the client’s setting and community nursing services.

The review found a number of additional cost weights that had been successfully adopted elsewhere in the UK in the allocation of community nursing services.

Impact:

The report was well received by the client and allowed them to consider alternative approaches to working with rural stakeholders and the community nursing service provider to resolve concerns over resource allocation in rural areas.