The Benefits of Working Together: Service User Involvement in Research and Development Nigel Beswick and Kathryn Ayles

Content Introduction to service user involvement The benefits from a service user perspective Reflection on a project The Expert by Experience Research Group Challenges and lessons learnt Future direction KA

Involving Service Users in Research Input in the development of research ideas / methodology Input to planning how to implement results and changes to practice Expert by Experience led research KA

Benefits from the service user perspective Involvement in developing and improving services Working with professionals on an equal basis Increased service user voice (for themselves and others) Collaborative working NB

The Satisfaction Survey at the TGU Commented on the survey design Went to all the wards and met with any service users who were willing / interested in taking part Made recommendations to the senior management team Agreed an action plan Receive updates in the action plan KA

Changes made from the recommendations Clearer information on protected times for visitors is available Beautician available Increase in education sessions provided by qualified teacher Clear information provided on PALS, IMHA and advocacy Clearer information on the purpose of leave is available KA

KMPT Expert by Experience Research Group Current projects: –Looking at survey for older people in LD service –Involved in Fire Setting research steering group –Collecting data from community teams in East Kent using the I-Pads –Completing an appreciative enquiry to generate ideas to improve the CPA process by sharing good practice NB

Challenges Integration with the Trust Research and Development Group Integration / acceptance by staff NB

Positives / Learning Hearing and sharing service user stories Breaking down barriers and stigma Being there for service users Seeing how staff attitudes have changed Changed my perspective on how well people can engage when they are in acute care settings NB

Future Direction Scoping projects Developing and designing data collection Being involved in specific projects Producing some marketing information on how we can support staff in the Trust NB

Want to involve the EbyE Research group in your project? Contact: Nick Dent    St. Martin’s Hospital, Patient Experience Team, Experts by Experience Group, Littlebourne Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1TD