This is a list of some of the bodies involved in health-policy research and consultancy; it is not exhaustive but includes those bodies that publish regularly for a national audience.
centre for policy on ageing, Tavis House, 1–6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA (020 7553 6500; www.cpa.org.uk). Using research and analysis, this organisation aims to formulate better social policies for older people.
health economics research unit, University of Aberdeen, Polworth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD (01224 437196, www.abdn.ac.uk/heru). The unit receives core funding from the Chief Scientist's Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorate and from competitive research grants and funding. It has two underlying aims: to develop methods within health economics; and to encourage use of the techniques of economic appraisal by clinicians and managers in the NHS. Produces regular discussion papers and has a strategic alliance with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
health economics resource centre, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD (01904 323790, website: www.york.ac.uk/res/herc). The centre specialises in health-economics postgraduate teaching and research. Principal areas of research activity include economic evaluation of health technologies, outcome measurement, primary care, community care, and the determinants of health.
health services management centre, University of Birmingham, Park House, 40 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2RT (0121 414 3344; www.hmsc.bham.ac.uk). The aim of the centre is to strengthen the management and leadership of health services and so promote better health. Current areas of activity include primary-care provision and management; quality management and clinical effectiveness; priority setting and rationing, involving users and the public in health-service decision making. The centre conducts research, postgraduate programmes, courses and seminars and undertakes consultancy.
institute for public policy research, 14 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6DF (020 7470 6100; www.ippr.org.uk). Independent charity whose purpose is to contribute to public understanding of social, economic and political questions through research, discussion and publications. Established to provide an alternative to the free-market think tanks. IPPR Scotland is based at Hayweight House, 23 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DQ (0131 281 0886).
institute of health & society, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 21 Claremont Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AA (0191 208 7045; www.ncl.ac.uk/ihs). Research is organised in four overarching themes: unravelling the origins of disease across society; understanding health experiences across the life-course; developing and evaluating interventions to improve health and well-being; and supporting health decision-making and the effective organisation of health care.
king's fund, 11–13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN (020 7307 2400, website: www.kingsfund.org.uk). Independent charity which carries out research and development, audit and education to improve healthcare in England. Undertakes health-policy research and analysis, promotes good practice in health and social care, supports leadership development, and runs King's Fund organisational audit for hospitals. Comprehensive health-policy library open to researchers.
lse health & social care, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE (020 7955 6840, website: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEHealthAndSocialCare). Multidisciplinary research centre which brings together members of LSE academic staff from different departments working on health and personal social care issues. Its fundamental mission is to undertake research consultancy and training and to influence thereby international health and social care policies.
nuffield centre for international health and development, University of Leeds, 71–75 Clarendon Road, Leeds LS2 9PL (0113 343 6633, website: www.nuffield.leeds.ac.uk). The Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development aims to assist low and middle-income countries to achieve universal health coverage.
nuffield trust, 59 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP (020 7631 8450, website: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk). An independent observer of the UK health scene and the NHS. Main areas of activity are invited meetings, workshops and seminars, publications, a grant programme and fellowships. Activities currently include an investigation of policy futures for UK health and work on globalisation and devolution.
office of health economics, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT (020 7747 8850; www.ohe.org). Supported by grants from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, Department of Health, National Institute for Health Research, Medical Research Council and other charitable funds, its terms of reference are to commission and undertake research on the economics of health and health care; to collect and analyse health and health-care data from the UK and other countries; and to disseminate the results of this work and stimulate discussion of them and their policy implications.