Engagement

NHS Kernow is committed to working in partnership with the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We will also work closely with our partners in the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has a very diverse population, and we are keen to make sure that our involvement is inclusive. We will seek out, encourage and welcome participation from people from diverse elements of the population.

In working with others, we will:

involve people as early as possible in the decision making process and before any decisions are made
provide good information about the subject in question in a way that is understandable and easy to get
be open and clear about what is (and isn’t) possible
provide practical support where possible when people are asked to get involved, so that they can take part, for example using sign language interpreters
tell people afterwards how their involvement has made a difference

Our engagement work

Adult mental health strategy 2019 to 2024

Dementia improvement programme

Integrated community services plans

Ipsos Mori 360 stakeholder survey results

NHS long-term plan

NHS Equality Delivery System

The NHS Constitution requires clinical commissioning groups to involve patients and the public in the decision making process and to place the patient at the heart of all that it does. NHS Kernow wants to make sure that the NHS equality delivery system (EDS2) principle of making sure that everyone counts is integral to our engagement and communication work.

NHS Kernow’s Governing Body lay member for patient and public involvement, is also the Governing Body lead for equality and diversity.

We want to make sure that everyone is able to engage in ways which are suitable to their needs. If you have a communication, access, cultural or other need when engaging with us, please tell us so that we can work to meet your needs.

Where we’ve been and who we’ve spoken to

November 2019

Our events officer has increased his attendance at public events during the autumn to support the delivery of the winter campaign, and has attended 30 events since September. This has included student freshers’ fairs, and weekend flu clinics where there is increased footfall in GP surgeries. He has spoken to approximately 1,400 people, and shared information and literature about the choose well campaign, the long term plan, and the mental health strategy. Common themes of discussion include the importance of choosing the right location for the right condition; the superb roles of GPs in Cornwall; the importance of looking after people during the winter; and the lack of clarity among young people about whether they have had their MMR/MenACWY jabs.

The feedback has been shared with relevant GP surgeries, Public Health England, and specific information about care with Nikki Thomas as patient experience lead.

September 2019

The team attended 13 engagement events and PPG meetings from June to August, talking to people about a range of issues, including our choose well campaign, sun safety, hydration, mental health, diabetes, and dementia services, and collected comments from people about health services in their community. This is in addition to supporting the children’s commissioning team to arrange its conference in July.

Themes included issues with the availability of GP appointments and recruitment, transport (both public and NHS non-emergency), community hospital and minor injury unit closures. The comments have been shared with locality and quality leads, and the heads of NHS communications teams.

July 2019

The team attended 8 engagement events from April to June, and spoke to 268 people about a range of issues, including our choose well campaign, diabetes, dementia services, and collected comments from people about health services in their community. This is in addition to supporting the 3 integrated community services stakeholder workshops, and the dementia conference.

Themes included issues with the availability of GP appointments and recruitment, transport (both public and NHS non-emergency), community hospital and minor injury unit closures and waiting times for an autism diagnosis for children. The comments have been shared with locality and quality leads, and the heads of NHS communications teams.

Building upon May’s video recording training, the events officer recorded people’s thoughts about health and care services to share with both commissioning colleagues, and also online (with the person’s written permission). The team is developing the patient engagement web page and the films will be uploaded to this page during the summer.

The events officer is supporting Marazion PPG to develop a survey about practice services to identify areas of improvement, and has also offered to create a film about the PPG’s work to raise awareness of its work and broaden its membership. A similar film has also been created for Carnon Downs PPG, which will also be published on the revamped web page.