Involve public in local health care development
Practice-based commissioning offers an opportunity for members of the public to influence the development of health care services in the community, says Developing Patient Partnerships.
DPP, the NHS Alliance and the National Association for Patient Participation
have conducted a survey that reveals that 76 per cent of people have
never been asked what they want from local NHS services.
The survey involved 1,009 members of the public, 160 health care professionals — comprising
50 pharmacists, 50 practice nurses and 60 GPs — and representatives
of 299 primary care trusts. Half of the members of public interviewed
thought that they had no power to influence what happens with local NHS
services. However, 90 per cent of health professionals and 93 per cent
of the public agreed that local people should have a say in how health
services are run.
Under a third (29 per cent) of the PCTs said they have moderately or
well functioning patient and public involvement in the
commissioning process.
Brian Fisher, patient and public involvement lead for the NHS Alliance,
said: “It is important that [practice-based commissioning] is accountable
and that local people become able to influence and shape it, in conjunction
with GP practices.”
Publication of the survey results marks the start of a campaign by the
DPP, the NHS Alliance and NAPP to raise public awareness of the importance
of being involved in local service development and to offer guidance
to health providers on the benefits of involving local people. The guidance,
entitled “Effective practice-based commissioning: engaging with
local people”, is available at www.dpp.org.uk |
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