Promoting Well Being

From 1 April 2009, a new statutory duty of public involvement and consultation has been placed on all health and social care organisations. Link to Health and Social Care Reform Act NI 2009

The involvement of people is not a one off project or exercise; it must be rooted in the culture of the organisation and be a part of everyday working practice, underpinning all our processes and decisions. It must be an integral part of health service design, development and delivery.

In accordance with the Department of Health and Social Services Guidance on Strengthening Personal and Public Involvement in Health and Social Care, the Southern Trust has developed and consulted on a PPI Action Plan Framework which sets out  what the Trust is required to do in relation to PPI and the structures it has developed to enable its Directorates, Programmes of Care and staff teams to work towards achieving the vision of effective and meaningful service user, patient, community and public involvement within health and social services. The resulting consultation report has informed the future direction and development of PPI within the Southern Trust.  

In tandem with the consultation process the Trust has also carried out a comprehensive mapping exercise to identify existing service user involvement activity across its Directorates and programmes of care. A PPI Baseline report has been developed for each of the four Directorates that deliver health and social care services directly to the community. An Executive Summary PPI Baseline Report is now available on the Trust’s website this will be used as a benchmark from which the Trust can measure progress made.

Using the information in the PPI Baseline Reports, each Directorate and Division has developed a PPI Action Plan detailing how it intends to enhance personal and public involvement using a standard template. The areas covered in the PPI Action Plans are:

• Information
• Levels of Involvement
• Evidencing Patient and Client Experience Standards
• Training
• Monitoring and Evaluation

These action plans are up-dated on an annual basis and regular progress reports are made to the relevant Director as with any other area of work. Annual Corporate PPI Action Plan and Progress Reports will also be made available on the Trust’s website. Link to DHSSPS PPI Progress Reports as well as Corporate PPI Action Plan

In keeping with current legislative requirements, the Trust has also developed a Consultation Scheme. This is currently with the Department for approval.