Governance

Good evidence needs clear governance. The Evidence Hub works to one principle: the people who decide what evidence is needed are kept separate from the people who produce it. This protects the independence and trustworthiness of every output.

Who does what

• Oversight Group (the commissioner). Chaired by the Chief Medical Officer. Sets priorities, approves the work plan, and decides which evidence syntheses are commissioned on behalf of the Department of Health.
• Coordination Group (sorts and shortlists). Chaired by the head of the Department’s Health Security Unit. Screens incoming questions, checks for duplication and feasibility with the Hub, and recommends a shortlist.
• The Evidence Hub (produces the evidence). Coordinates the work, supports methods and quality assurance, and allocates work across the hub-and-spoke network. It advises both groups but does not commission its own work and does not make policy.

Keeping evidence independent

The Oversight Group can set the question and the deadline, but it cannot change the methods, findings or conclusions of a synthesis. Completed products are received and noted; interpreting them for policy is the job of the commissioner, not the Hub.

Quality and transparency

The Hub runs a documented quality-assurance system, including protocol availability where feasible, internal peer review and recognised methodological standards. We aim to publish methods, version histories and update status, and to declare and manage conflicts of interest.

Public and patient involvement

Public and patient representatives sit on the Oversight Group. Public and patient involvement helps shape priorities, plain-language outputs and communication, which matters most when evidence affects public trust, access, equity or vulnerable groups.

Funding and independence

The Evidence Hub is funded by the Health Research Board, which maintains a separate interface as funder and award manager. Funding, oversight, commissioning and evidence production are kept as separate roles to protect independence and support trust.