An 'Evidence Check' system for facilitating evidence-informed health policy

Abstract

In partnership with the NSW Department of Health, the Sax Institute has established a Getting Research into Policy and Practice (GRIPP) Program to improve the integration of population health and health services research with policy. The program is overseen by the GRIPP Steering Committee, which is co-chaired by the NSW Chief Health Officer (Dr Greg Stewart until February 2005, then Dr Denise Robinson) and Professor Anthony Zwi (University of NSW). One initiative of the GRIPP Program is an Evidence Check system to facilitate the commissioning of high quality research reviews relevant to policy issues. This article outlines the background to Evidence Check and describes how the system was developed and implemented.