We provide summaries of the current knowledge and evidence in an accessible and timely way to answer questions and areas of concern identified by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), providers and commissioners.
We support decision making and service improvement by health and social care bodies through the provision of evidence summaries and reports.
Background
Evidence synthesis identifies, evaluates and combines data from multiple sources, most commonly from existing research studies, to provide an overall summary of current knowledge supporting decision-making across health and social care.
Evidence syntheses are based on systematic processes to identify and collate relevant evidence that meets pre-specified eligibility criteria and to minimise the influence of bias. Combining individual study results and considering differences can reduce uncertainty and help make sense of conflicting study findings. There are various types of review and we provide rapid reviews or a rapid retrieval of evidence for when an answer is needed quickly.
We aim to address knowledge gaps or to answer a specific need in response to local priorities These are in areas of importance to policy makers and have a direct impact on decision-making, patient and client care, reducing inequalities and identifying future research needs.
The outputs are evidence syntheses that provides a comprehensive review of published literature with explicit search strategy, appropriate range of sources and critical assessment of quality of evidence and strength of findings.
The exact methodology for synthesis will depend on the subject and nature of available evidence and on the timeframe for reporting required by ICBs.
We use the Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex and Health Innovation Kent, Surrey, Sussex's Implementation Panel to prioritise requests when necessary.
Meet the Team
Evidence Synthesis Lead
Research Fellow (University of Greenwich)
Research Assistant (University of Kent)
Projects
What factors does a clinician in ED use to decide to initiate compassionate end-of-life care?
This project presents a rapid evidence synthesis exploring how clinicians in Emergency Departments (EDs) make decisions about initiating end-of-life care for older patients. Recognising that some patients may benefit more from compassionate EOLC rather than aggressive treatment, the study identifies three key areas influencing clinical decision-making: clinical prognosis, patient wishes, and gaining agreement among care teams. The findings highlight the importance of tools like the “surprise question,” improved integration with palliative care services, and enhanced communication training. The aim is to support better recognition of end-of-life needs and promote more consistent, compassionate care pathways in emergency settings.
Children and young people’s acute mental health crisis support
This report presents a rapid review of the available evidence on mental health crisis support for children and young people. Commissioned by NHS Sussex as part of efforts to redesign urgent and emergency care pathways, the review also explores specific areas of concern, including support for children and young people with neurodiversity and eating disorders—groups that represent a significant proportion of those in crisis. The literature search included the concept of hospital-at-home care and drew on 15 academic and grey literature sources. While the review identified clear guidance on best practices for crisis support, it also highlighted gaps in evidence, particularly around neurodiversity and therapeutic approaches.
Children and young people’s acute mental health crisis support – a rapid review of the evidence
