public health professionals teach local authorities to use the data to make informed decisions

Evidence

was big news in the public sector over the last year. We saw the launch of the Alliance for the evidence, the work on data management group, which accounts for ways to generate research results of data collected and stored by the departments, and particularly in the workstream Solace Summit 2012, asking executives and local authorities can use the tests.

There is a clear focus on the use of evidence proven interventions in the current financial climate, when there is no pressure to ensure that every action has a value. However, it becomes more difficult to defend evidence-based decision-making, if the base area has not already been done. Without the skills to navigate the academic research can be daunting, but it is what works Nesta network is designed to facilitate this process.

Compile a local database, even if it consists of statistics freely available, requires time and resources. Tools that make it easier to measure its own operations are not necessarily in place, computer systems can make data more usable, but they require a considerable initial investment - difficult to justify if frontline services are threatened

clarity about what it means to use evidence in practice would be useful. Our conversations can often instead of solving problems rehash In the political environment of local governments, often eager to use the evidence will be compromised by the commitment of the party line, although there is a broad consensus that decisions based Evidence implies a balance between reality and cold interest. We discussed the feasibility and cost controlled and distracted thinking big about what can be done on a smaller scale for assessing good practices.

As they move from NHS boards, many directors of public health training and skills development is evidence of his new teammates, which should address some of these misconceptions . is encouraging to note that some elements of the public health approach are already present in the local government. We set and monitor performance indicators, meaning that they have mechanisms to measure what we do. We use "know your customer", which obliges us to synthesize information about our residents from various sources to create hypothesis test when we use to guide how we provide services.

Rospigliosi is a director of strategic development and transformation

Dacorum council