York Evidence Synthesis (YES) Group: Evidence Syntheses for NIHR

The Research Team. The Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York, with colleagues in the Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU) seek to become an NIHR ESG to support health, public health and social care decision-making in the UK. Together we have all the skills specified and the expertise required for the different types of project expected from an ESG. CRD has 30 staff, including systematic reviewers, statisticians, health economists, information specialists, and researchers who are skilled in knowledge exchange and co-production. CRD has almost 30 years’ experience of conducting evidence syntheses, applying the full range of available synthesis methods to a variety of health and care topics. We have proven ability to deliver high quality evidence syntheses according to the needs of commissioners, as demonstrated through our NIHR Policy Reviews Facility and NIHR Technology Assessment Reviews contracts. Networks. We are well connected and have in place networks of clinical; social care; patient and service users; and methodological collaborators. PPI involvement. Our PPI strategy and evaluation will be led by a co-design/co-production specialist, working with the PI, the PPI co-applicant, project leads and contributors themselves, ensuring feasible and meaningful PPI activity. Research design/methods. For each project we will select the approach and methods most appropriate to the specific question(s) posed, adopt best practice and report methods and findings transparently according to the relevant PRISMA or other reporting guidance. Where needed, we will work with commissioners to ensure a common understanding of scope and, where necessary, to refine the research question(s) to ensure meaningful outputs. We will assign colleagues with the best skills match and partner with topic experts and stakeholders from our networks of collaborators to form a multi-disciplinary team for each project. A protocol will be developed and registered for each. Resourcing/project management. A YES Management Group including project leads, the PPI lead, and an IS, will support the PI in work and resource planning for each project team. A YES Oversight Group (PI and co-applicants advising on social care, public health, HTA/Stats and PPI, along with two additional PPI representatives) will provide more strategic guidance. We have flexibility to vary individuals’ input to match project needs from the core team of co-applicants and CRD’s highly experienced research, information and administrative staff. Together with 3-4 project leads, we have capacity to carry out three concurrent ESG projects working with topic experts and experts by experience. Project/research timetable. If successful, a work plan will be developed meeting ESP requirements. Dissemination, outputs & anticipated impact. We will develop a tailored dissemination plan at the start of each ESG project (academic publications and other outputs) and periodically review this ensuring plans remain appropriate. Success criteria/barriers to proposed work. Given our track record of producing a full range of types of evidence synthesis projects and our successful delivery of other NIHR “call off” contracts, we are confident in our ability to provide an ESG as specified. Ethics. ESG project are unlikely to involve patient or service users as research participants. Equality diversity and inclusion. CRD is committed to EDI in all our working practices.