Knowsley PCT

Three schemes/projects are included from Knowsley PCT;

1-LIFT Scheme
2-Focus Group on Muscular skeletal department
3-Community Health Forum

The LIFT scheme is about building new health centres and through focus groups patients have been involved on design issues from the earliest possible point. All patients affected by change were written to - asking them to get in touch if they wished to be involved and a database was then created.

For the Muscular skeletal scheme the use of Focus Groups are considered essential building blocks. Patients are involved through Focus Groups and their work includes writing an information leaflet.

Although the three schemes were initially NHS driven, the Community Health Forum is now clearly patient driven - the Chair of one of the Forums is a local resident. Members are self selected. More patients joining the forum is positive feedback/evaluation indicator.

The project feels the critical factors for success are:

• An understanding Chief Executive.

• A 'willing' public.

• Adequate budget.

• Good management with new ideas and supportive to staff

Contact Details:

Justine Kennedy
0151 4434915
justine.kennedy@sthkhealth.nhs.uk