Frimley New Hospital Engagement

Healthwatch Bracknell Forest, Healthwatch Hampshire, Healthwatch Surrey and Healthwatch Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead interviewed leaders of groups who represent communities that often experience unequal access to health and care services.  This was to to build an understanding of ways to engage with those most at risk of health inequalities and who may face barriers to participating and engaging for Frimley Park Hospital which is seeking a new location to develop a new hospital.

Key findings

Out of pocket expenses should be reimbursed promptly for any community members who incur costs to attend an engagement activity. These usually include travel expenses, parking and the cost for any support required to attend.

Activities need to be funded appropriately so engagement can be inclusive, travel costs can be covered, and participants can be rewarded.

Some people will require access support.. So, although some communities have provided more details on what these may be, you should check the access needs of all people attending. This also applies to translation for people whose first language is not English. Key areas to consider include access adjustments to meet the needs of people with sensory and cognitive impairments, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

Involvement must be meaningful, i.e. ‘we said, you did approach’, and participants need feedback on resulting actions. All responses indicate frustration that the people who gave up their time to inform an involvement process have become disillusioned because they do not get any feedback about what difference it made. This discourages participation in future consultation or involvement activities, and reassurance will be needed that their voices will be valued and acted upon. Co-production and co-design were mentioned frequently.

Trust is a critical element, and using community link organisations and community leaders is important.

Many of the groups hold meetings that external visitors can attend to conduct involvement activities. However, these are often booked up several months in advance, so allow time for the next available slot. It takes time to organise interpreters, such as BSL or carer replacement. At least 2 weeks’ notice is recommended.

Mixed method approaches are needed to be inclusive of those who are not digitally literate, to overcome language barriers, and to meet the needs of people with low literacy.