In light of fundamental changes to public health structures in recent years, commissioners face challenges for investment and disinvestment in times of austerity. In addition there is also a need to demonstrate transparency in decision-making in relation to local priorities for public health investment. These changes raise questions concerning the potential value of a health economics approach to priority setting and how best to apply the potential tools available.
This QRM will provide an overview of health economic principles which can be used to guide decision making. The programme will include a brief update on the changing public health landscape for commissioning. This will be followed by an introduction to economic approaches to managing scarcity and meeting need.
Mrs Marietta Evans, Director of Public Health for North Tyneside, is associated with a project entitled, “Shifting the gravity of spending?” Further information about this study can be found here: www.dur.ac.uk/public.health/projects/shiftingthegravity