Professor William Hollingworth
B.Sc.(Wales), M.Sc.(York), Ph.D.(Cantab.)
Expertise
I work in healthcare economics, exploring how health systems such as the NHS choose to spend limited funds. I evaluate whether the costs of new healthcare interventions are justified by benefits to patients and society.
Current positions
Professor of Health Economics
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
My applied research has focussed on measuring cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions in randomised controlled trials and using decision analysis models.
I have particular interests in the economic evaluation of diagnostic tests and interventions for low back pain and sciatica, but collaborate widely with colleagues with interests in other clinical topics including cancer care, public health prevention, mental health and child health.
My methodological research interests centre on the use of variations in clinical practice as a method for commissioners and clinicians to identify and prioritise opportunities for disinvestment in healthcare.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the physical activity of Year 6 children and their parents: Identifying scalable actions to mitigate adverse impacts and provide rapid evidence to policy makers
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
Physical activity is important for health among children and their parents. The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated social changes, such as the lockdown, have had a marked impact on physical…Managing organisational unit
School for Policy StudiesDates
01/04/2021 to 30/06/2022
Implementation of flash glucose monitoring in four paediatric diabetes clinics – before and after study to produce real world evidence of patient benefit.
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/01/2021 to 31/08/2022
NIHR Health Technology Assessment (NIHR127457) Radiofrequency denervation for chronic and moderate to severe low back pain: The RADICAL trial.
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (THS)Dates
01/01/2020 to 31/12/2024
PLAN-A
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
Phase 1 – Pilot Study
In this phase of the study we worked with Year 8 girls in one Wiltshire school. We held four focus groups with the girls to get…Managing organisational unit
School for Policy StudiesDates
01/07/2018 to 31/03/2021
PReCePT Study – A cluster randomised trial evaluating the impact of an enhanced support implementation of the PReCePT quality improvement toolkit to increase the uptake of magnesium sulphate in pre-term deliveries for the prevention of neurodisabilities
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Preterm labour and birth guideline recommends use of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) in deliveries below 30 weeks’ gestation to prevent cerebral…Managing organisational unit
Dates
01/06/2018 to 31/05/2021
Thesis supervisions
Publications
Selected publications
10/10/2013Are Needs Assessments Cost Effective in Reducing Distress Among Patients With Cancer? A Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List
Journal of Clinical Oncology
The risk of bankruptcy before and after brain or spinal cord injury: a glimpse of the iceberg's tip
Medical Care
Surgery versus non-surgical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomised parallel-group trial
Lancet
The diagnostic utility and cost-effectiveness of selective nerve root blocks in patients considered for lumbar decompression surgery
Health Technology Assessment
Model transparency and validation
Value in Health
Recent publications
27/02/2025Clinical and cost-effectiveness of paramedics working in general practice: a mixed-methods realist evaluation.
Health and Social Care Delivery Research
Clinical and patient-reported outcomes in women offered oncoplastic breast conserving surgery as an alternative to mastectomy
British Journal of Surgery
Relevance and flexibility are key
BMC Health Services Research
The impact of parastomal hernia on quality of life using data from the CIPHER prospective cohort study
European Journal of Health Economics
Online treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents: a parallel groups randomised controlled trial comparing specialist cognitive behaviour therapy to activity management
Online treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents: a parallel groups randomised controlled trial comparing specialist cognitive behaviour therapy to activity management
Related people
Professor Russ Jago
Professor of Physical Activity & Public Health
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Professor Frank De Vocht
Professor in Epidemiology and Public Health
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Dr Lydia Collison
Lecturer in Social and Public Policy
School for Policy Studies
Dr Robert Walker
Senior Research Associate
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Dr Danielle House
Research Fellow
Bristol Medical School (PHS)