Measuring Impact: Health education programme

Challenge UCLH-commissioned Cancer Collaborative across North and East London needed to evaluate whether their multi-borough programme was effectively improving cancer screening uptake, knowledge, diagnosis and care among target groups with historically low engagement.

Approach Programme evaluation across all participating boroughs using the Theory of Change model to link activities to short, medium, and long-term outcomes. Mapped borough-specific interventions and target group engagement against UCLH objectives.

Outcomes

• Evaluated across 2 boroughs and 3 target groups

• Defined which education techniques worked as specific interventions to increase uptake/knowledge and could be sustained with little funding

• Identified techniques that didn't work and why

• Informed future programme implementation to improve screening rates by borough and target group

• Theory of Change model insights as a model for future cancer programmes

• Long-term impact: The consortium evolved into a Cancer Alliance. Key areas of focus include early diagnosis (particularly through a new Diagnostic Hub in North East London), implementing the "small c" awareness campaign, and improving patient experiences.