Title: Optimising the use of NHS intelligence in local violence prevention and measuring its impact on violence.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Background: The routine availability and use of data on violence is the foundation of the public health approach to preventing violence, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).1 While activity to address violence has traditionally relied on police data, much violence is not reported to police.2 However, victims often require health treatment. The NHS routinely collects data on assault patients that could make a valuable contribution to planning and monitoring violence prevention, yet these datasets are currently underutilised and often not shared at a local level. The limited evidence that exists suggests that NHS data sharing can support effective violence prevention.3 Aim: To identify and support the optimum use of NHS data in supporting local violence prevention and identify impacts of local data sharing on violence. Research plan: The study will involve three strands: We will access and analyse NHS datasets to assess their applicability in measuring local violence, and identifying hotspots and at risk communities. Local violence profiles will be produced in four study sites (and nationally where applicable) in consultation with partners. We will produce a guide to assist local partners in accessing and using NHS data for targeting and evaluating violence prevention. In four study sites, we will review local ED data sharing, focusing on enhanced violence data. Over a 12 month period, we will collect data on how CSPs and other partners use ED data to inform violence prevention. CSP activity will be analysed against NHS and police datasets to identify associated changes in violence. A comparison between enhanced ED and NHS ED datasets will identify circumstances in which patients are not asked additional questions, in order to support improvements in data quality. We will engage with local partners in the four study sites (including community groups, voluntary organisations, councils, health services and CSPs) to help them make best use of NHS data for understanding local violence problems and targeting appropriate interventions. A case study will be implemented in one study site. Research team : The CPH is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence Prevention. The applicants have a strong background in original research/evaluation, data analysis, developing surveillance systems and reviewing violence prevention evidence. The team has extensive experience of developing NHS data sharing and collaborating with local partners through the Trauma and Injury Intelligence Group (TIIG) and GLA injury and community safety surveillance systems These existing resources bring added value to the project. Potential impact: The project will identify the optimum use of NHS data in local violence prevention for operational and strategic purposes to support the government commitment to data sharing.4 The study will develop and disseminate evidence of the impact of data sharing on violence. In addition to CSP work on alcohol-related and serious youth violence, we will seek to demonstrate the value of NHS data to a wider range of partners and policy areas, including violence against women,5 early life interventions,6 and service provision for victims and witnesses. The project will support the Big Society by engaging with local partners, including community and voluntary groups, councils and health services. It will build local capacity by extending knowledge across these partners on how to access NHS data and use this to understand local issues around violence, identify and target appropriate interventions and measure their impacts. The knowledge produced will facilitate policymakers and local partners in developing effective violence prevention.


Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH