Pragmatic and Responsive Evaluation using Return on Investment methodology: HIEC Yorkshire and the Humber Region

CiREM was commissioned by Yorkshire and the Humber to undertake an independant evaluation of the overall programme of work in parallel with a specific objective of facilitating a transition to formal ‘Return on Investment’ (ROI) evaluation within the three HIEC Themes: Maternal and Child Health, Patient Safety, and Long Term Conditions. The aim was to establish a methodology for formulation and completion of ROI evaluation. In addition to working with the three themes, CiREM undertook a strand of review to design relevant and appropriate measures for the HIEC as a multi-partnership entity.The evaluation of the HIEC entity spanned review of the ten core objectives (as set out in the 2011 HIEC Annual Report) and in its approach to education, training and implementation. It also looked at governance, networking, adoption and spread throughout the region and beyond. The consultancy team designed a heuristic framework for reviewing the effectiveness of the HIEC as a distinct entity. This framework considers the work of the HIEC on four levels of interaction namely by population (NHS, HEIs, voluntary sector, independent sector, LAs), science (i.e. levels and nature of evidence), infrastructure (resources, sustainability) and financial (e.g. economies of scale, value for money).The consultancy team worked with HIEC management team to provide further insight and recommendations on strengthening the outputs and outcomes of partnership working in Yorkshire and Humber.The report concludes with a number of key recommendations covering specific insights related to the three main project investment themes and in the areas of leadership, use of the evidence base, project investment and sustainability. In this last area namely that of sustainability, the report highlights the case for the construction of a robust business model.