Health economics and evaluation
We specialise in health economics and real-world evaluation, supporting healthcare systems in making informed, impactful decisions. Our evaluations provide critical insights into the effectiveness, efficiency, and value of healthcare services and innovations.
Why real-world evaluation matters
Evaluating healthcare services and technologies is essential to:
Assess patient outcomes and organisational efficiency.
Highlight environmental and economic impacts.
Ensure inclusivity, compliance, and safety.
Make informed decisions.
What does real-world evaluation involve?
- Health economics: Health economics is the analysis of the costs and benefits of healthcare interventions. Unity Insights use various techniques, such as cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and budget impact analysis.
- Quantitative and statistical analysis: Quantitative and statistical analyses are often undertaken by Unity Insights to support the assessment of an innovation, and its impact on organisations and their patient populations.
- Qualitative analysis: Unity Insights have a track record of utilising interview and survey approaches to undertake qualitative analyses, such as thematic and sentiment analysis. This informs on wider impact, and barriers and learnings for implementation at future sites.
- Health inequalities: Unity Insights have extensive experience of working with population health data to assess the demographics of target populations and perform analysis to assure organisations that new systems do not exclude vulnerable groups.
- Environmental impact: Unity Insights are increasingly integrating assessments of environmental impact into evaluation designs. Methodologies have been developed to assess environmental impact and what this means from a financial savings or costs perspective.
- System dynamics modelling: Healthcare systems are often highly complex, with significant downstream impacts of any decisions made. Utilising system dynamics modelling, Unity Insights can help to forecast future impacts and improve decision making.
Past projects
Evaluation design and support for Surrey Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives
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A cost-benefit analysis and high-level carbon impact analysis of the UniWee
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Understanding the impact of a non-endoscopic diagnostic test pathway upon cancer pathways using System Dynamics Modelling
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Mixed methods evaluation of The RealBirth Workshop at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals
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A mixed-methods evaluation of Clera, a web application designed to support communication between clinicians, patients, and families.
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Independent evaluation partners in the REVISE HCC project
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Anya: An evaluation of the digital health app for women’s health
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A mixed-methods evaluation of a Strategic Optimisation Service of the domiciliary care workforce
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Mixed-methods evaluation of a digital health information and remote monitoring app for heart failure
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An analysis of medicines optimisation solutions
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In Our Own Words: Logic model workshops
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An evaluation of a non-endoscopic diagnostic test pathway for Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer
Read morePartner with us for impactful real-world evaluations
Contact us today to optimise your healthcare innovations with robust evidence
Contact usUnlocking NHS access for innovators
For healthcare innovators looking to bring new technologies, devices, and digital health solutions to the NHS, understanding health economics and evaluation is essential. These processes provide the critical evidence needed to demonstrate value, secure funding, and gain adoption within the healthcare system.
Health economics assesses the cost-effectiveness of a new healthcare intervention, comparing its costs and benefits to existing alternatives. Evaluation involves generating robust evidence through methods such as real-world studies, economic modelling, and clinical validation. Together, they help decision-makers in the NHS determine whether an innovation offers value for money, improves patient outcomes, and aligns with NHS priorities.
Why is health economics important for NHS adoption?
- Demonstrating value: NHS commissioners require clear evidence that an innovation is cost-effective and beneficial to patients.
- Supporting funding applications: Many grant opportunities, such as the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) programmes, require a strong health economic case.
- Facilitating procurement: A well-evidenced health economic model increases the likelihood of securing NHS contracts and scaling innovation across the system.
How Unity Insights supports health innovators
We specialise in providing tailored health economic analysis and evaluation to help innovators successfully navigate NHS pathways. Our services include:
- Cost-effectiveness modelling: Quantifying the financial and clinical impact of your solution.
- Health impact assessments: Demonstrating improvements in patient outcomes and healthcare efficiencies.
- Real-world evidence generation: Conducting evaluations in NHS settings to validate effectiveness.
- Grant application support: Helping innovators apply for SBRI, NIHR, and other funding by strengthening economic arguments and evidence generation.
Leveraging grants to accelerate NHS entry
Securing funding through SBRI and NIHR can be a game-changer for early-stage and scaling innovators. These grants provide financial support for feasibility studies, prototype development, and real-world evaluation within NHS environments. Our expertise ensures that applications meet the rigorous requirements for economic evaluation, increasing the chances of success.