Evaluation of the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Payment by Results (PbR) Pilots Programme
The Department of Health has awarded a research contract for the independent evaluation of the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Payment by Results Pilots Programme to the University of Manchester. The successful evaluation team will be led by Dr Michael Donmall of the National Drug Evidence Centre (NDEC), and Professor Matthew Sutton of the School of Medicine.
The overall aim of the evaluation is to investigate whether, how, and to what extent, a payment by results approach can stimulate the market to provide different schemes, co-ordinated across a range of services, that successfully initiate and sustain the recovery of individuals from drug and alcohol dependence, and their successful re-integration into their communities.
The evaluation contract follows a rigorous open competitive tendering exercise, advice from an independent expert Commissioning Panel, and a process of post-tender negotiations with the preferred bidder.
Key features of the contract include:
- Three-year study combining process, outcomes and economic evaluations (subject to a preliminary scoping and feasibility phase)
- Collaborative partnership between the University of Manchester and Birkbeck College London
- Budget up to £1 million
- Regular progress and interim reporting
- Focus on reflexive learning
An initial scoping and feasibility report will be submitted to the Department of Health in June 2012, to include a selective review of the relevant research literature, refined evaluation proposals, detail on the engagement with the pilot sites, and any emerging findings.
In addition to the formal evaluation, the Co-Design Group will publish a 'lessons learned' report in early 2012 to share the experience of designing and developing the eight PbR pilot models in order to inform and support other areas keen to adopt a PbR approach to commissioning.