COVID-19 dramatically changed the health and social care needs of the people in Wales and the way health and care is delivered to meet these needs. Those who make decisions about health and social care policy and practice in Wales need to use research and evidence to guide their decision making. However, while the importance and value of research is clear, the research evidence is often not readily available to the people who need this (e.g. policy-makers, public, NHS Directors and clinicians, social care, third sector). The aim of the Centre is for research to be quickly and rigorously undertaken and made available.

Operating practices – answering good questions quickly

We conduct rapid reviews of research evidence and robust primary research and evaluation, working closely with stakeholders to ensure that evidence is useful.

We operate with a core team, led by Professor Adrian Edwards. The core team works closely with a public partnership group and collaborating partners; Health Technology Wales, Wales Centre for Evidence-Based Care, Specialist Unit for Review Evidence centre, SAIL Databank, the Bangor Institute for Medical & Health Research  (with Health and Care Economics Cymru), and the Public Health Wales Evidence Service.