This report examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for diabetic retinopathy by optometrists. There are strong arguments for screening. Diabetic retinopathy is an important public health problem, there is an effective treatment, the natural history of the disease is well...

The methodology of valuing health states remains a key issue in the construction of health-related quality of life measures. Different scaling methods appear to yield different sets of valuations, and as yet there is no consensus as to which method is the preferred technique. Many of the...

The objective was to develop an economic prioritisation model to assist those involved in (i) the selection and prioritisation of health technology assessment topics and (ii) commissioning of HTA projects. The model used decision analytic techniques to estimate the expected costs and benefits of...

Background - This project developed as a result of the activities of the Research Teams at the Centre for Health Economics, University of York, and ScHARR at the University of Sheffield in the methods and application of decision analysis and value of information analysis as a means of informing...

The NHS Executive has recently implemented modifications to the weighted capitation formula for distributing Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) funds in England (NHS Executive, 1994a). Although this was based on some technical work commissioned by the Executive from a team of...

This paper provides an overview of microeconometric evidence on various aspects of smoking using data from the UK Health and Lifestyle Survey (HALS). In doing so it illustrates how the choice of an appropriate statistical model is influenced by the survey design and the definition and...

Family Practitioner Committees (FPCs) became independent health authorities as of 1 April 1985. Their remit was to be more responsive to public demands, be accountable directly to the Secretary of State for service delivery and to ensure comprehensive plans in consultation with the professions...

The current debate about reforming the NHS is surprising in a number of ways. Timmins (1988) points out that it was unforeseen and not part of the Government’s main concerns after winning the election in June 1987. It is surprising in another way because it is only six years ago since there...

The purpose of this Discussion Paper is to examine the constraints upon, and opportunities for, spreading the workload of general practitioners (GPs) more effectively and efficiently among members of the Primary Health Care Tea, (PHCT). Current knowledge of GP activity is outdated and based on...

Joint finance is a source of National Health Service money which has been targeted by the department of Health and Social Security to be spent on community care. In particular it is to be used by agencies (statutory and non-statutory) in collaboration with the health service to facilitate the...