From Pilot to Policy: Why Evaluation Matters More Than Ever

Innovation in health and care is no longer in short supply. Across the UK, ambitious pilots are launched every year, each with the potential to transform how we deliver care, support people, and reduce system strain. But too often, these promising initiatives stall before they can take root.

Not because they failed. But because no one paused to measure what worked, what didn’t, and what to do next.

We believe that strategic evaluation is the bridge between a promising pilot and lasting policy. And if we want innovation to deliver real impact, not just good press, we need to start treating evaluation as essential infrastructure, not a luxury.

The innovation graveyard is real

Every year, millions of pounds are invested in pilots that never scale. Good ideas are tested, but findings are shelved. Staff move on, funders shift focus, and the moment is lost.

We’ve seen it across health tech, AI, digital mental health, and even workforce planning. It’s not that these ideas lacked potential. It’s that the case for continuation was never clearly made.

And that’s where evaluation comes in.

Evaluation done right is about momentum

FCC’s work with the South West Regional Digital Neighbourhood Programme is a clear example. We didn’t just assess outcomes—we helped partners understand what was working, why it mattered, and how to take it further.

We’ve applied this same approach to our work on AI readiness, supporting healthcare professionals and patient communities to shape the safe, practical integration of new technologies. Through literature reviews, targeted interviews, and insights from the field, we created the evidence base needed to move beyond hype and into action.

Evaluation isn’t just measurement. It’s strategy.

What gets measured gets funded

In a resource-constrained environment, evaluation is also a survival tool. Funders and commissioners need confidence. Policymakers need insight. Frontline teams need feedback.

When done early and well, evaluation doesn’t just tell you what happened, it shows you what’s possible. It makes the case for further investment. It protects good ideas from fading out. And it ensures that innovation in health and care serves real needs, not just headlines.

Let’s raise the bar

Let’s stop treating evaluation as a report at the end, and start seeing it as a driver of scale from the start.

Whether you’re developing a new digital tool, testing a care model, or leading system change, build in evaluation from the beginning. And if you need a partner who knows how to make it count, talk to us.

Read more in our new Impact and Outcome Report
We’ve captured the insights, lessons and momentum from eight years of breaking barriers in health and care.

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