Ahead of the event which was held at the BT Tower in London, the PCT Network had worked with Ipsos MORI to interview a number of PCTs. The interviews were focused around obtaining examples from PCTs that had led successful public engagement during significant local changes to assess best practice and the lessons learnt. The findings from interviews emphasised the need for strong PCT leadership on local engagement, and Ipsos MORI emphasised 10 key lessons for PCTs
Ten key lessons for PCTs on local engagement
- Ensure leaders are visible with the public
- Ensure leaders are visible with their colleagues
- Set standards in the PCT on engagement
- Target the right stakeholders during engagement
- Get the narrative about the need for reconfiguration right
- Demonstrate how you are listening to the public both in terms of the outcomes you expect to achieve and the process of engagement
- Take risks, put your neck on the line
- Look for opportunities to work together with the public and other stakeholders such as local campaign groups
- Use emotional intelligence to manage local relationships
- Recognise tipping points and moments of truth and respond to them to demonstrate the authenticity of the consultation process
The Ipsos MORI presentation will shortly be made available to attendees and other PCT Network members who are interested in the findings.
Next steps
The PCT Network is currently producing a report on PCT engagement. The report includes further detail and outcomes from this Ipsos MORI research and also a previous study that was commissioned by the Network from Ipsos MORI. The report also uses existing literature on this subject to outline how PCTs can engage with their public during difficult local decisions and service reconfigurations.
For further information about the report that PCT Network is producing on local engagement or the Ipsos MORI research outlined above please contact Patrick Leahy, senior public affairs officer on 020 7074 3301 or patrick.leahy@nhsconfed.org