Evaluation is key to making better decisions in health and care– understanding what works, for whom, and why. But good decisions require robust evidence, and robust evidence starts with effective evaluations. These help us decide what to do next, what to invest in, what to improve. 

This practical guide equips you with the tools to design and deliver effective health and care evaluations, regardless of your resources. From planning your evaluation to presenting impactful results, it’s your step-by-step manual for evidence-based decision-making.

The guide is written for people at all levels – whether you are thinking about commissioning an external evaluation or conducting your own – with links to external resources. 

It includes practical resources like an example topic guide and participant information sheet for qualitative research. 

Originally developed for the Midlands Decision Support Network – bringing together ICSs to improve evidence-based decision-making – this guide builds on real-world experience to deliver trusted, actionable advice.

As the leading evaluation partner to the NHS, The Strategy Unit’s expert Evaluation Team offers guidance and support tailored to your needs – from qualitative and quantitative evaluations to mixed-method approaches.

To find out more about how we can support your Evaluation projects, contact Paul Mason our Head of Evaluation.