Primary Care & Health Sciences
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I have been a Reader in Health Services Research since 2004. I joined the Centre in 2008: prior to that I worked in Keele University’s Centre of Health Planning and Management (from 2004) and before that in the Department of Public Health Medicine of Guy’s, King’s, and St. Thomas’s Medical Schools (from 1984).
I am also the Director of the NIHR Research Design Service West Midlands (Keele University Hub) and lead a multidisciplinary team of methodologists who support clinicians from NHS organisations in developing high quality research proposals for NIHR funding streams. Finally, I am the Associate Director of Public Health (Research) for Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT, where I promotes the use and development of research by local staff.
I have a background in organizational and health operational research and a long history of research that supports the development and evaluation of health and social care services for older people. Early research concerned services for patients with stroke in the UK and mainland Europe. More recent work has focused on generic health and social care services delivered “closer to home”. For example: an SDO funded study of factors surrounding unplanned hospital admissions by older people; national and local evaluations of the Department of Health’s Partnership for Older People Project; a New Dynamics of Ageing study into ways of promoting social engagement amongst older people living in disadvantaged communities.
Selected Publications
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2013. Social engagement and healthy ageing in disadvantaged communities. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 14(1), 12-24. doi>
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2012. Improving Quality of Life for Older People in the community: Findings from a local partnership for older people project (POPP). Primary Health Care Research and Development, 200-213. doi>
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2011. Designing integrated care pathways to facilitate acute hospital discharge: the role of routinely available statistics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, vol. 11. link>
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2010. AGE RELATIONS IN LATE LIFE: RECONSIDERING DISCURSIVE DIFFERENCES. GERONTOLOGIST (vol. 50, p. 205). link>
Full Publications List show
Books
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2005. Health Operations Management. London: Routledge.
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2005. Intermediate and continuing care: policy and practice. Oxford: Blackwell.
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2004. Book review: Stevens A, Abrams K, Brazier J, Fitzpatrick R, Lilford R (eds), The advanced handbook of methods in evidenced based healthcare. (vol. 19).
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Gulliford and Morgan M (Eds.). 2003. Organisational barriers to access. Routledge, London.
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Wolfe C, McEvitt C, Rudd AG (Eds.). 2001. Costing care across europe. Radcliffe Medical Press, Abbingdon, UK.
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Wolfe C, McEvitt C, Rudd AG (Eds.). 2001. Variations in the processes of care for stroke: implications for quality improvement. Radcliffe Medical Press, Abingdon, UK.
Journal Articles
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2013. Social engagement and healthy ageing in disadvantaged communities. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 14(1), 12-24. doi>
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2012. Improving Quality of Life for Older People in the community: Findings from a local partnership for older people project (POPP). Primary Health Care Research and Development, 200-213. doi>
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2011. Designing integrated care pathways to facilitate acute hospital discharge: the role of routinely available statistics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, vol. 11. link>
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2010. Promoting evidence informed service development: a study of falls services in Cheshire. Primary Health Care Research & Development, vol. 11(3), 222-232. doi>
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2010. Comparing How to Compare: An Evaluation of Alternative Performance Measurement Systems in the Field of Social Care. Evaluation, vol. 16(1), 59-79. doi>
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2009. Has social care performance in England improved? An analysis of performance ratings across social services organisations. Policy Studies, vol. 30(4), 403-422. doi>
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2009. Service developments for managing people with long-term conditions using case management approaches, an example from the UK. Int J Integr Care, vol. 9, e02. link>
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2005. Prospective randomised controlled single-blind trial of the costs and consequences of systematic nutrition team follow-up over 12 months after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Nutrition, vol. 21, 1071-1077. doi>
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2004. An evaluation of a multidisciplinary team for intermediate care at home. Int J Integr Care, vol. 4, e02. link>
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2004. Investigating services for palliative care in Central Cheshire PCT. Clinical Governance Bulletin, vol. 5(4), 7-9.
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2003. The "What, who for, how much, in that way" approach to implementing the National Service Framework for Stroke: a working paper to support the development of business plans for stroke services. Keele papers in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology.
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2002. Evaluation of rapid response team operating in North Staffordshire. Keele Papers in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, 1-64.
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2002. What does 'access to health care' mean?. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, vol. 7(3), 186/188.
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2001. The effect of regular systematic nutrition team follow-up on the incidence of percutaneous endosopyc gastrostomy (PEG)-related complications. Age and Ageing, vol. 2001(Suppl 2), 56.
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2000. An educational tool to illustrate cost-effectiveness issues in diagnostice pathways for coronary artery disease. MD Computing, vol. 17(1), 49-57.
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2000. Two simple questions to assess outcome: a European study. Cerebrovascular Disorders, vol. 10(S2), 10.
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1999. Economic consequences of early inpatient discharge to community-based rehabilitation for stroke in an inner-London teaching hospital. Stroke, vol. 30(4), 729-735. link>
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1999. An experience of utilisation review in Europe: sequel to a BIOMED project. The International Journal for Quality in Health Care, vol. 11(1), 13-19.
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1999. Variations in case-fatality and dependency from stroke in West and central Europe. Stroke, vol. 30, 350-6.
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1998. Early discharge after stroke - Use of Barthel index was not appropriate - Reply. BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, vol. 316(7138), 1169. link>
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1998. An economic evaluation of early discharge to community based rehabilitation for stroke. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 52, 682.
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1998. Antenatal screening for severe malformations of the heart and maternal distress. Acta Paediatrica, vol. 87, 201-5.
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1998. Experiences of carrying out utilisation review in the NHS. British Journal of Health Care Management, vol. 4(2), 74-77.
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1998. Planning midwifery services to deliver continuity of care. Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 49, 33-41.
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1998. The economic consequences of an early discharge for stroke. Cerebrovascular Disorders, vol. 8(Suppl 4), 67.
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1998. The need to control for more than patient characteristics: European variations in stroke care. Cerebrovascular Disorders, vol. 8(Suppl 4), 84.
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1997. Bed use reviews: clinical opinion or objective criteria. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 51, 604.
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1997. Economics of imaging undergoes close scrutiny. Diagnostic Imaging Eurpoe, 25-30.
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1997. Evaluation of a community package of care for stroke patients discharged early from hospital. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 51, 590.
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1997. Longer term quality of life and outcome in stroke patients: is the Barthel index alone an adequate measure of outcome?. Quality in Health Care, vol. 6, 125-30.
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1997. Long-term follow-up of stroke patients. Stroke, vol. 28, 507-12.
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1997. Near patient testing in diabetes clinics: appraising the costs and consequences. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 51, 600.
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1997. Randomised controlled trial to evaluate early discharge scheme for patients with stroke. British Medical Journal, vol. 315, 1039-44.
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1997. Stroke and stroke care in Europe. Current medical literature: Health Care of Older People, vol. 10(1), 3-8.
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1997. The English patient: a story of hospital utilisation. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 51, 603.
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1997. The uptake and costs of guidelines for stroke in a district of Southern England. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 51, 520-25.
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1996. A computer model to assess continuity of care. Modern Midwife, vol. 6(4), 10-11.
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1996. Hospital services for stroke care: a European perspective. Stroke, vol. 27, 1958-64.
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1996. Planning the development of cystic fibrosis gene carrier screening. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, vol. 1(2), 81-92.
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1996. Report on renal disease in diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, vol. 13(Suppl 4), S6-S13.
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1995. Stroke rehabilitation: service delivery options and innovations. British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, vol. 2, Article 9.
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1995. Stroke care in Europe - can we learn lessons from the different ways stroke is managed in different countries. Journal of the Royal Society of Health, vol. 115, 143-7.
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1995. Implications for the funding of the service costs of research and evaluation in the new British NHS. European Journal of Public Health, vol. 5, 130-5.
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1995. Outcome following fractured neck of femur - variation in acute hospital care or casemix?. Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol. 17(4), 429-37.
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1995. Probing the gene screen. OR Insight, vol. 8(4), 9-14.
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1995. Stroke audit package. Journal of Royal college of Physicians, vol. 29, 67-8.
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1995. Understanding variations in lengths of stay between hospitals for fractured neck of femur patients and the potential consequences of reduced stay targets. Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol. 17(1), 77-84.
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1995. Using Operational Research modelling to improve the provision of health services: the case of DNA Technology. International Journey of Epidemiology, vol. 24(Suppl 1), S90-S95.
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1995. Variations in the incidence, management and outcome of stroke in residents under the age of 76 in two health districts of Southern England. Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol. 17(4), 411-8.
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1994. The influence of genetic counselling in the era of DNA testing on knowledge, reproductive intentions and psychological well-being. Clinical Genetics, vol. 46, 198-204.
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1994. The resource implications and service outcomes of genetic services in the context of DNA technology. Health Policy, vol. 26, 171-190.
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1993. History of an evaluation: genetic services and the introduction of DNA probes. Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol. 15(2), 185-91.
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1993. L'organizzazione Sanitaria a Londra. Salute e Territorio, vol. 84, 14-17.
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1993. Purchasing services for End Stage Renal Failure: the potential and limitations of existing information sources. Health Trends, vol. 25(2), 60-64.
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1992. A methodology for simulating the impact of DNA probe services on the outcome of pregnancies. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, vol. 8(3), 539-45.
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1992. Constraints on innovatory practice: the case of day surgery in the NHS. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, vol. 7, 133-48.
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1992. DNA probe technology: implications for service planning in Britain. Clinical Genetics, vol. 42, 186-95.
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1992. Surgeons' views on day surgery: Is there a consensus among providers?. Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol. 14(2), 192-8.
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1991. Are current techniques and inguinal hernia repair optimal? A survey in the UK. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, vol. 73, 341-5.
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1991. Cost information in a provider market for health care: a note. Financial Accountancy and Management, vol. 7(2), 99-106.
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1991. Incidence of advanced renal failure. British Medical Journal, vol. 302, 51-2.
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1990. Computing: forecasting change. Health Services Journal, 1438-40.
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1990. Estimating the financial savings from maintaining the level of acute services with fewer hospital beds. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, vol. 5(2), 89-103.
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1990. The application of a decision support system for planning services within hospitals. Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 41(12), 1089-94.
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1990. The development of a decision support system for palnning services within hospitals. Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 41(11), 955-1006.
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1990. Variations in lengths of stay and rates of day case surgery: implications for the efficiency of surgical management. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, vol. 44(2), 90-105.
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1989. Demand for DNA probe testing in three genetic centres in Britain (August 1986 to July 1987). Journal of Medical Genetics, vol. 26, 226-36.
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1989. Genetic services in the context of DNA probes: What do they cost?. Journal of Medical Genetics, vol. 26, 237-44.
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1987. Estimating catchment populations: implications for target allocations. Hospital and Health Services Review, vol. 83, 77-80.
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1987. Impact of cuts in acute beds on services for patients. British Medical Journal, vol. 294, 685-8.
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1985. Alternatives to RAWP. Health and Social Services Journal, 1098-9.
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1985. Aiding and abetting the planners. Health and Social Services Journal, vol. 25, 930-1.
Chapters
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2010. Researching organisations: evaluating a "partnership for older people project". In Healthcare Research - A Handbook for Students and Practitioners. Roberts P (Ed.). Wiley.
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2006. Evidence on the effectiveness of intermediate care. In Intermediate and Continuing Care: Policy and Practice. Roe B and Beech R (Eds.). Blackwell Publishing.
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2005. Chain logistics: analysis of care chains. In Health Operations Management. JMH V and Beech R (Eds.). London: Routledge.
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2005. Challenges for health operations management and change management. In Health Operations Management. JMH V and Beech R (Eds.). London: Routledge.
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2005. Health OM: basic concepts and approaches. In Health Operations Management. JMH V and Beech R (Eds.). London: Routledge.
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2005. Identifying the need and scope for intermediate care. In Intermediate and continuing care: policy and practice. Roe B and Beech R (Eds.). Oxford: Blackwell.
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2005. Implications for policy and practice: the future. In Intermediate and continuing care: policy and practice. Roe B and Beech R (Eds.). Oxford: Blackwell.
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2005. Introduction. In Health Operations Management. JMH V and Beech R (Eds.). London: Routledge.
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2005. Introduction. In Intermediate and continuing care: policy and practice. Roe B and Beech R (Eds.). Oxford: Blackwell.
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2005. Preface. In Health Operations Management. JMH V and Beech R (Eds.). London: Routledge.
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2004. Renal disease. In Health Care Needs Assessment: the epidemiologically based needs assessment reviews. First series, second edition, volume 1. Stevens A, Raftery J, Mant J, Simpson S (Eds.). Radcliffe Medical Press, Oxford.
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2003. Organisational barriers to access. In Access to Health care. Gulliford MMM (Ed.). Routledge.
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2001. League tables of outcome for chronic disease. In Stroke services: policy and practice across Europe. Wolfe C, McEvitt C, Rudd A (Eds.). Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press.
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2001. Variations in the processes of care for stroke: implications for quality improvements. In Stroke services: policy and practice across Europe. Wolfe C, McEvitt C, Rudd A (Eds.). Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press.
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1999. Effective management options in women's health care. In Contraception and Office Gynaecology: choices in reproductive healthcare. Kubba A, Sanfilippo J, Hampton N (Eds.). London: WB Saunders.
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1997. A decision-support system for planning continuity of midwifery services. In Enhancing decision making in the NHS: the role of decision support systems. Cropper S and Forte P (Eds.). Buckingham, Philadelphia: University Press.
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1996. Current service provision for stroke. In Stroke services and research: an overview with recommendations for future research. London: The Stroke Association.
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1996. Economic evaluation of stroke care. In Stroke services and research: an overview with recommendations for future research. Wolfe CDA, Rudd A, Beech R (Eds.). London: The Stroke Association.
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1990. Spatial inequity in the NHS: the death and rebirth of RAWP. In Health Care UK. Harrison T (Ed.). Newbury: Policy Journals.
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1986. Computer aid to hospital planning. In International Hospital Federation Official Yearbook 1986. London: Sabrecrown.
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1986. Hospital option appraisal: a computer aid. In Current Perspectives in Health Care Computing. Bryant JL, Roberts J, Windsor P (Eds.). Weybridge: British Computer Society.
Other
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2010. AGE RELATIONS IN LATE LIFE: RECONSIDERING DISCURSIVE DIFFERENCES. GERONTOLOGIST (vol. 50, p. 205). link>
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2010. FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION? CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH WITH OLDER PEOPLE. GERONTOLOGIST (vol. 50, p. 205). link>
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2009. Early supported discharge after stroke: evaluation of a new service in North Staffordshire. Cerebrovascular Diseases (vol. 27, p. 236).
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2009. Early supported discharge following stroke: evaluation of a new service in North Staffordshire. Cerebrovascular Diseases (vol. 27, p. 236). Karger. doi>
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2009. National Performance Measurement and Local Performance Management: the case of Local Authority Social Care in England.
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2009. Partnerships for Older people Projects: Impacts on Quality of Lift, Health and Status and Well Being.
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2009. Patient and carer views of and satisfaction with a Stroke Early Supported Discharge (SESD) service. International Journal of Stroke (vol. 4, p. 25).
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2008. Assistive technology and older people.
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2008. Evaluating Wigan's Partnership for Older People Project.
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2008. Evaluating Wigan's Partnerships for Older People Project: end of project report.
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2008. Has Social Care performance in England improved? an analysis of performance ratings across Social Services Organisations. doi>
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2008. National Evaluation of Partnerships for Older People Projects: Interim Report of Progress.
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2008. The design and use of local metrics to evaluate performance: a comparative analysis of social care organisations.
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2007. National and Local Evaluation of the Partnership for Older People Project.
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2007. National Evaluation of Partnerships for Older People Projects: Interim Report of Progress.
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2007. The design and use of local metrics to evaluate performance: a comparative analysis of social care organisations. Literature review and planning document produced as part of a study within the ESRC Public Services Programme (Quality, Performance and Delivery).
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2006. Developing community based services for older people: an operations management perspective.
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2006. Developing services to reduce the use of acute beds by older people: a strategy for decision support.
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2006. Wigan's Partnership for Older People Project.
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2005. Intermediate and continuing care: policy and practice.
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2004. Renal Disease (Health Care Needs Assessment first series update).
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2003. Building research capacity in Central Cheshire PCT.
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2003. The "what, who for, how much, in what way" approach to implementing the National Service Framework for stroke: a working paper to support the development of business plans for stroke services.
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2002. Evaluation of Rapid response team operating in North Staffordshire.
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2001. Access to health care: a scoping exercise. Report prepared for the National Co-ordinating Centre for NHS Service Delivery and Organisation R&D.
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2001. An analytical framework for supporting the planning of intermediate care services. Report prepared for the R&D Directorate NHS Executive West Midlands.
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1999. Near patient testing in diabetes clinics: appraising the costs and outcomes.
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1999. Research evaluation of Walsall Health Authority's waiting list/whole systems initiatives. Report prepared for Walsall Health Authority.
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1998. Making winter monies work: a review of locally used methods for selecting and evaluating supply-side interventions. Report prepared for the R&D Directorate NHS Executive West Midlands.
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1988. The Hospital Planning Model.
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1987. The hospital planning model: nature and applications (1982-1987). In A. Serio, C. O'Moore, A. Tadini & FG. Roger (Eds.).
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1985. Costing DRGs for use as performance indicators.
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2005. Health Operations Management.
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1996. Stroke services and research: an overview with recommendations for future research.
I supervise PhD students.
I am a member of the Faculty of Public Health.

