What we offer > Service user and public engagement

Service user and public engagement

We are experienced in designing, coaching and in undertaking service user and public engagement initiatives. This could be: ‘back room’ advice and support, playing an active part in establishing a sustained programme of user involvement; conducting street surveys, focus groups and mediation or the design and facilitation of a high profile conference.

How we work

We pay particular attention to building trust and understanding in this work with the client, and to establishing the purpose and expectation of the initiative to the client’s organisation. From this we can explore users’ and general public perspectives: clarifying the offer and what is being asked of them. We recommend a small advisory group that includes service users to help with design, preparation and follow through.
Aimed at:

Service planners and commissioners

Service directors and leaders in provider organisations

Reconfiguration programme managers

Leaders in service improvement

Potential Outcomes

Opinions on proposed or existing services

Creation of productive dialogue

Understanding of health and social care planning choices

Establish user engagement programme

Practical ideas to improve services

New understanding of service user’s experience

New service priorities

Action planning following Health Care Commission Investigation

Peter Mumford and colleague, Breda Flaherty, designed an innovative stakeholder involvement programme following a highly critical HCC report on Sutton and Merton PCT’s service for people with a learning disability to create a shared action plan across staff, services users and carers to improve services. Read more…

Contentious service reconfiguration

EPI Associates was commissioned to prepare, design and facilitate a workshop to tackle conflict over the location and future configuration of midwifery services serving a population of 750,000 residents. Read more…

Users involved in service improvement

EPI Associates was commissioned by the nursing directorate of a multi-site acute trust faced with a poorly criticised service. There was a commitment from the hospital board to significantly improve users’ experience and the quality of care received. Read more…

‘Sincere thanks for your excellent facilitation of the workshop and for guiding preparations, it has been a very good learning process not only for me but for everyone involved.’
Programme Director

‘Very helpful to the overall reconfiguration programme, thank you, you did an excellent job.’
Reconfiguration Programme Director

‘Consistently very high levels of satisfaction with the conferences in terms of understanding the issues, contributing to the discussions and quality of facilitation.’
Comment from participant

‘Your work contributed significantly to the successful outcome of the Caring Choices initiative in influencing the long term care funding reform agenda.’
King’s Fund Director

To find out more
or to discuss your
needs, please contact
Janice Quested
PA and Office Manager

tel/fax
01268 780086

mobile
07762 889474

email
janice@epiassociates.com