Preston PCT
'Partnerships with People' is Preston PCT's PPI Strategy and sets out our commitment to involving local people at every stage of the planning, development and delivery of services. It also spells out how this commitment will be achieved so that patient and public involvement is embedded in the day to day work of the PCT.
We use a variety of methods to involve people in our work, and believe that there is no 'one size fits all' solution to PPI. The method of involvement is influenced by the issue and target audience. For example, the Diabetes Local Implementation Team (LIT), who are responsible for delivering the Diabetes NSF, includes local people who have diabetes. They attend and take part in every meeting, which is shaping the way future diabetes services are delivered. The Older Peoples' LIT feel that user membership of the group may not be the most effective way to engage this section of the population. Therefore they have consulted directly with older people on service development issues, via existing social networks, such as day care and residential facilities, luncheon clubs, Age Concern activities etc. The Mental Health LIT have supported the establishment of a Mental Health User Forum which has created excellent two way dialogue in an environment where patients feel safe to air their views.
We are building on our existing involvement infrastructure by setting People Panels for the 5 localities of Preston and Longridge. The Panels will be made up of local people who have expressed an interest in local health services. Following a package of training and support the Panels will be a sustainable and self supporting involvement tool for the PCT to gain feedback from local people on both locality specific and PCT wide issues.
The critical factors for success are:
- Commitment from the top of the PCT
- Be adaptable/flexible for your audience and the subject
- Learning lessons as you go along - no tablets of stone thinking
- Sharing good practice
- Wheels do not need re-inventing
Contact Details:
Carol Fare
01772 645509
Carol.Fare@PrestonPCT.nhs.uk