In response to these issues, a recent NSW Regional Health Partners project developed a framework to inform, guide and promote the evaluation and implementation of cost-effective health technologies and models of care. A core aim of the framework is to optimise patient outcomes through the delivery of value-based healthcare. A core principle on which the framework is based is to use evaluation of both effect and value to determine whether technologies and models of care should be allowed to enter or remain in the health system.

The framework was derived from international best practice in the conduct of health technology assessment, insights gained from the literature and the views of senior health service managers and clinicians across Australia. The framework presents a detailed approach to improve local level healthcare evaluation.

Aspects of the framework are being trialled in NSWRHP. Principles from the framework will be applied to six new projects funded by the Medical Research Future Fund:

• Thirsty? Choose water;
• Tailoring strategies to improve child immunisation in areas of low coverage in local health districts in NSW through partnerships and community engagement;
• Embedding cultural safety in health professional child protection responses to Aboriginal families in NSW paediatric care settings;
• Increasing the implementation of mandatory physical activity policy in NSW primary schools across three NSW jurisdictions;
• Acute telestroke implementation to increase treatment rates and improve outcomes for rural and regional stroke patients (‘At It’ study); and
• Using technology platforms to improve the use of chronic disease prevention services to reduce child obesity.