Acute respiratory infection hubs across England are being put under the microscope to find out whether they actually ease pressure on the NHS. These hubs were set up to handle the surge in patients with coughs, colds, and flu that hits the health service every winter. But no one has yet proved they are worth the money or effort. This evaluation will map how the hubs work, build a theory of how they achieve their effects, and test whether a full cost-benefit analysis is even possible. If the evaluation shows the hubs are effective, the NHS could decide to keep or expand them as a permanent part of winter planning. If not, the findings could redirect resources to other approaches. The work also gives patients and the public a direct say in how the hubs are judged, through focus groups and an expert collaborative group that includes people with lived experience. The results will be shared as a public report, summaries, and infographics—so the evidence is not locked away in academic journals.
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AIMS OF THE RESEARCH: The aims of this process evaluation are to characterise Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) hubs in England, to build a theory of change for how ARI hubs achieve their impacts and to assess the feasibility of a future outcomes and economic evaluation. BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH: ARI hubs were established across England to support the high demand for NHS services related to acute respiratory infections throughout the year, especially during the winter. Currently, there is limited evidence to support the added value of ARI hubs, and more research is needed to assess their impacts, including economic impacts. Before a formal outcomes and economic evaluation can be conducted, a process evaluation is needed to collect more information about ARI hubs and their activities. DESIGN AND METHODS USED: This mixed-methods process evaluation will be conducted over a 12-month period and will include desk research, a survey of ARI hub leads, interviews with NHS stakeholders (including representatives from Integrated Care Boards and Primary Care Networks and clinicians), and focus groups with members of the public. Lastly, a workshop with ARI hub representatives will be convened to finalise a theory of change for how hubs might achieve their impacts. PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: This evaluation will be supported by an expert collaborative group, composed of three professional members (a clinician, an NHS representative and a researcher with expertise in evaluation) and three members of the public with lived experiences. The expert collaborative group will meet quarterly throughout the project to advise the evaluation team on study design, data collection, interpretation and dissemination. DISSEMINATION: The findings from this evaluation will be written up as a publicly available report. Findings may also be disseminated through easy-to-read summaries, infographics and social media.
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