
In April 2024, we submitted our first progress report to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The MEASURE project has progressed well in its first year.
Live database
Most of the work has focused on the first two work packages in our project. In Work Package 1, we have gained insight into different types of High-Volume Low Complexity (HVLC) hubs, their specialties, bed numbers, funding, and codes for hospitals. We have also created a ‘live database’. We will keep updating this to stay current with any policy changes and to add new hubs. We’ve started checking and verifying data, such as hospital codes. We’ve also looked at ways to sort patients by their risk levels, which helps identify patients with different levels of complexity.
Interviews with key figures
We are aiming to interview 10 to 15 key people involved in creating the HVLC programme. We’ve invited 15 people and interviewed 9 so far. They are key to understanding the national programme. The interviews, along with other information from our first work package, have shown us more areas to explore through additional interviews.
Analysis of orthopaedic procedures
For Work Package 2, we’ve started analysing data on orthopaedic procedures. We’re looking at how NHS hospitals perform over time based on their hub status. We’re examining factors like the number of surgeries, waiting times, and hospital stays. We’ve improved our strategy by consulting with other researchers and our advisory group.
Potential case sites
For Work Package 3, we are using data from the first work package and information from visits and stakeholder talks. Based on this, we’ve identified potential sites for detailed study. We’re using data from Work Package 2 to fill a sampling matrix, which will help us choose three detailed case sites to study by April 2025.
Other work packages
Work Package 4 started in March 2024. We’re preparing data and training staff on productivity measurement to start our analysis. Work Package 5 also started in March 2024. We’re looking into accessing NHS staff records and workforce statistics. We’ll get more workforce data from Work Package 3. Work Package 6 is scheduled in January 2026.