Ecorys evaluates Palga foundation

In the Netherlands, 43 pathology laboratories deal with disease emergence and progression. All these laboratories are affiliated with the Palga foundation and the national database. Palga focuses on collecting and making pathology data available to pathologists and researchers, and is funded by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). As Palga receives government funding, Ecorys and Vanberkel professionals investigated for VWS whether this financial contribution was well spent.

Background

Palga Foundation (Pathological Anatomical National Automated Archive) bridges the gap between pathology data and patient treatment. Palga provides a patient’s pathology history at the start of a medical examination, thereby contributing to correct diagnosis, improved care and treatment of a patient and lower healthcare costs. Moreover, it is Palga’s responsibility to ensure their data infrastructure and its quality.

Palga not only provides data to scientific studies (such as the Dutch cancer registry), but also contributes to the evaluation and monitoring of population studies and education, and enables clinicians and pathologists to improve quality control.

To perform its tasks well, Palga receives government funding from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). The government requires subsidies to be evaluated to assess whether financial resources are spent efficiently, effectively and effectively. In this context, Ecorys and Vanberkel were engaged by VWS to carry out this evaluation.

Key findings

Our study was conducted through desk research and in-depth interviews with Palga stakeholders. In our evaluation framework, we looked at the effectiveness and efficiency of Palga’s activities. The following findings emerge from our evaluation:

• Effectiveness: Palga’s objectives have changed resulting in a less shared vision between VWS and Palga. Palga now performs more tasks than agreed and defined.
• Efficiency: Palga’s objectives did not appear to be structured. Palga does contribute to the efficiency of other organisations, and the growth of its product indicates increased efficiency.
• Palga’s size is limited and dependence on stakeholders and external developments make Palga vulnerable. VWS can support by better aligning policy and preconditions.

Despite the positive evaluation of Palga, it remains challenging to measure exactly how much Palga contributes to care quality and cost savings. Nevertheless, Palga’s work is seen as essential within the current healthcare system. As pathology is rapidly evolving due to new scientific developments, it is important to determine what Palga’s role may be in the future.

Ecorys’ advice is to:

• Palga not as a stand-alone organisation, but integrated into the broader healthcare system. That is, in the broader context of data availability in care, opportunities for efficient care and the development of European Health Data Space (EHDS).
• Looking strategically and further ahead with, for example, a multi-year plan.
• Have Palga (and its partners) draw up scenarios for intensified cooperation.
• Improve the grant process so that substantive tasks and activities can be better linked to the necessary financial resources.

Want to know more? Read our full report here.