Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action

7. Policy makers, research commissioners and local services should collectbaseline data before implementing local interventions or policy changes that mayhave an impact on health and ensure evaluation is part of the funding proposal.Work in partnership with health authorities, public health observatories oruniversities to evaluate local initiatives, but allow adequate time for theintervention to take effect. Monitoring and evaluation should always estimate thepotential impact on maternal and child health among different social groups.8. Policy makers, research funders and health economists should, as a priority,commission research on the cost-effectiveness of maternal and child nutritioninterventions. This includes balancing the cost of primary prevention of nutritionrelatedill health against the costs of detecting and treating disease (both shortand long term).9. Policy makers, research commissioners and local services should commissionresearch into the impact of routine growth and weight monitoring on child healthand parenting behaviour.NICE have also produced an audit tool to support the implementation of NICEguidance. The aim is to help NHS organisations with a baseline assessment and toassist with the audit process, thereby helping to ensure that practice is in line withthe NICE recommendations. The audit support is based on the keyrecommendations of the guidance and includes criteria and data collection tools.http://guidance.nice.org.uk/PH11/AuditSupport/doc/English