Author: N. Yar (Welsh Government Librarian)
First Created: 07/09/2021
Last Updated: 03/08/2023
Introduction | Evidence | Statistics | LibrarySearch Topics| Journals and Databases | Books and e-Books
Publications and Websites | Media | Learning and Training | Key Contacts | Disclaimer
According to the World Health Organisation, health policy “defines health goals at the international, national or local level and specifies the decisions, plans and actions to be undertaken to achieve these goals”. In expressing aims to be achieved in the field of health as well as outlining how these are to be achieved, health policy can prompt consideration of what ethical values should be considered when setting health goals, as well as articulating a strategic vision and providing a framework for tactical and operational planning.
Because it can be understood as encompassing what a society does to advance desired outcomes in the field of healthcare, the topic is broad and multi-faceted, and can include:
Some useful search terms and synonyms for aspects of health policy and related areas are below.
Please note that this guide is an introduction to useful health policy resources and is not comprehensive. To maintain a degree of focus, it concentrates on the more widely applicable areas listed above, rather than more specific fields like public health policy, whilst also acknowledging the important role of considering the wider social context when designing and implementing policy. Similarly, the guide highlights health policy sources at the regional, national, and international levels, rather than the local level. In addition, it primarily looks at health policy sources in the developed world to ensure it is relevant to its main target audience.
Although this guide is written in a linear format, feel free to start by looking at the resources listed under any of the headings below. For example, using some of the recommended databases may be a good way to begin your search.
Evidence-based and evidence-informed policymaking have become increasingly prominent as approaches to policy development in the UK over the last two decades, particularly in health policy, where it has been stimulated by the embrace of evidence-based medicine. Peer-reviewed evidence for policy, and evidence syntheses such as systematic reviews that can be useful tools to quickly assess what evidence tells us about the effects of interventions, can be retrieved via bibliographic databases and journals such as the ones listed below. The following article discusses the emergence of evidence-based health policy, key differences from evidence-based medicine, critiques and barriers to its implementation and approaches to address these:
In addition to databases and journals, the following sites provide access to evidence syntheses including systematic reviews and policy briefs:
Statistical evidence plays a crucial role in development, implementation and evaluation of health policy, in aiding understanding of health problems to be tackled and the effectiveness, efficiency and broader impact of different approaches.
StatsWales allows users to access and download Welsh data on a range of subjects. Health statistics include datasets on vital statistics, service use, healthcare financing, waiting times and the NHS workforce.
The PEDW contains data on inpatient and day case activity undertaken by NHS Wales and on Welsh residents treated in English Trusts. It was established in 1991, and data is currently publicly available from 2014/15 onward.
The UK Government’s online portal for open government data includes health datasets covering Wales, England and Northern Ireland, including clinical audit data for several conditions published by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.
The statistics section of the Welsh Government’s website regularly publishes a range of reports concerning health data, covering NHS service use, waiting times, workforce and patient safety as well as extensive reporting on the prevalence of, and activities related to, COVID-19.
The UK Data Service hosts aggregate and primary data collected via a range of surveys and studies across the home nations and beyond, including the Welsh Health Survey and the National Survey for Wales. It holds data on access to and use of healthcare, public healthcare spending and attitudes and perceptions regards health and medicine, as well as public health.
NHS Digital publishes health and social care data, primarily about England, but also regarding the other home nations. Datasets can be found on the NHS workforce, mortality for different conditions and clinical audits, in addition to public health data.
With funders including the Welsh Government via Health and Care Research Wales and partners including Digital Health and Care Wales, SAIL Databank contains a host of anonymised person-level data on health, education and children’s services in Wales. Health data available includes screening, diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions, public health statistics, and service usage, performance and outcomes.
The Health Topic of OECD Data provides an international perspective, compiling data from within the mostly developed nations of the OECD but also beyond. Statistics available include those related to uptake of services, service capacity, availability of diagnostic technology, financial and human resources, population health risks and life expectancy and mortality.
This website compiles quantitative measures for determinants and outcomes of health policy implementation that are useable in a range of settings. Each measure listed has a profile with background information, publications which used them and scores for practicality of use and psychometric criteria. The measures are filterable according to evaluation requirements. The website was the result of a systematic review that searched literature for such measures and evaluated them.
The following links will take you to live searches on that topic on NHS Wales LibrarySearch. You will find a range of resources from full text articles, e-Journals, Journals, e-Books, Books, dissertations and more.
Access to healthcare, health equality
Below is a selection of titles relating to Health Policy that may be of interest, listed in alphabetical order. Criteria for choosing the publications include bibliometric data and their relevance to the UK context, ensuring that a range of health policy topics are represented.
All of the titles are accessible via the NHS Wales e-Library and/or are open access titles.
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Applied Health Economics and Health Policy. Auckland: Springer Nature. ISSN: 1179-1996
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BMJ Quality & Safety. London: BMJ Publishing Group. ISSN: 2044-5423
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British Journal of Healthcare Management. London: Mark Allen Publishing. ISSN: 1759-7382
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Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics: CQ. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISSN: 1469-2147
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Health Affairs. Chevy Chase, MD: Project HOPE. ISSN: 1544-5208
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Health Expectations. Oxford: Wiley. ISSN: 1369-7625
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Health Technology Assessment: HTA. Southampton: NIHR Journals Library. ISSN: 2046-4924
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Implementation Science: IS. London: BioMed Central. ISSN: 1748-5908
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OECD Health Policy Studies. Paris: OECD Publishing. ISSN: 2074-319X
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Value in Health. New York: Elsevier. ISSN: 1524-4733
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The following databases have been highlighted for use by colleagues working in Health Policy. If you need support using these databases, you can use the online guides, get in touch with your local NHS Wales or Welsh Government library service or get in touch with us and we can guide you to the relevant support for training and literature searching advice.
The NHS Wales e-Library subscribes to the following e-Books to support colleagues working in Health Policy:
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Your nearest NHS Wales library will hold books on different aspects of health policy and related areas. Below are some relevant titles held by several NHS Wales libraries or freely available online, listed in relevance order. If your local library does not have a copy of a desired title, they will be happy to attempt to obtain a copy for you via inter-library loan or consider a purchase for their collection. Please note that you will need to join your local NHS Wales Library Service in order to borrow: you can complete an online registration form here.
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Euro Health Net Policy Précis and Briefings
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Good Governance Institute Publications: health and social care |
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Gov.uk: Department of Health and Social Care: Policy papers and consultations
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NHS England Publications: Policy or strategy
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Scottish Government Publications: Health and social care / Strategy/plan
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Welsh Government Publications: Health and social care / Policy and strategy
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Welsh Government Publications Catalogue
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Welsh Government Health Circulars
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Audit Wales Publications: Health
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NHS Confederation Publications
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Healthcare Financial Management Association Publications
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NHS Race & Health Observatory Publications
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Scotland's Health On the Web (SHOW): Publications
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Northern Ireland Department of Health Publications
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Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Board Publications
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NHS Confederation: Health on the Line podcast
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Evidence: The importance of accessing and using the right evidence for decision making |
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NHS Wales e-Library for Health Special: Part 1 – Healthcare Librarians (2020)
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NHS Wales e-Library for Health Special: Part 2 – Healthcare Library Databases |
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Here we have highlighted several online and in-person learning and training opportunities to support colleagues working in Health Policy. Unless otherwise stated, these are freely available online or through e-Library subscriptions:
DHCW publishes datasets on health and care in Wales on its website, but their Information Services Division provides bespoke analysis to the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and others.
RCOG’s library team are able to respond to information enquiries regarding reproductive and maternal health, including publications and statistics.
Professional organisation for leaders, managers and administrators in health and social care in the UK.
Trade union for health and care managers.
Pan-European association dedicated to building health management capacity and successfully implementing health policy and improve health and care.
HEIW have a leading role in the education, training, development and shaping of the healthcare workforce in Wales. Ensuring we have the right staff, with the right skills, to deliver world-class healthcare to the people of Wales both now and in the future.
The NHS Wales Library Service promotes evidence-based practice and provides quality health information to support patient care, education, professional development, training and research.
Libraries are in each of the major hospitals in Wales and offer a friendly and helpful service.
The Public Health Wales Observatory transform data and evidence into public health intelligence
The Welsh Government Library Service facilitates access to information within the Government. It provides a service to Ministers and Welsh Government officials only. Contact details for the Welsh Government as a whole are provided here.
Care is taken to ensure that the website content is accurate. Nevertheless, content is provided for general information only, and you use it at your own risk. We will not be held liable for damage or loss ensuing from any act or omission resulting from the use of information on this website.
External Websites
NHS Wales e-Library for Health is not responsible for the content or reliability of any linked websites. We accept no liability in respect of the content or for the consequences of following any advice included on such sites.
Listing should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.
We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and have no control over the availability of the linked pages or change of website address.
NHS Wales e-Library for Health reserves the right to reject or remove links to any website.