University celebrates partnership project to improve care for patients and clinicians

The University of Wolverhampton and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) has celebrated the one-year anniversary of their co-production project to promote patient-based service solutions for Learning Disability, Stroke and Paediatrics.

The co-production project has been designed by patients and clinical staff to ensure that service pathways are developed in equal partnership.

Last year, academics in the University’s Faculty of Health and Wellbeing joined forces with staff representing teams from Learning Difficulty, Stroke and Children and Young People departments, to learn about co-production principles, ‘how to do’ co-production and co-create with their respective patient communities.

The areas were selected based on patient feedback data from a variety of metrics including the Friends and Family Test, Complaints and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) National Surveys.

The project consisted of a series of practical workshops involving patient representatives and clinicians to redesign and develop patient-centred products such as toolkits and learning maps.

By the end of the project, the teams created a number of new tools to help improve the needs of patients across all three areas including:

• A brand-new logo developed into badges for lapels, patient bed spaces and posters to help the NHS identify people with learning disabilities
• New bed spaces in hospitals for those with learning disabilities
• A new app to support stroke patients with their healthcare information
• A service information directory for children and young people

All products were created with the patient representatives’ input throughout, having reflected on their personal experiences and requirements to meet the needs of patients in similar circumstances.

Last week, all teams joined together to showcase their work, celebrate their achievements over the past year and talk about the next steps as they roll out the next phase of the project.

Martin Bollard, Project Lead and Head of Nursing in the University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Co-production is all about teamwork – it’s about learning, listening and coming to a mutual understanding to put the patient front and centre to make sure they get the care and information they need.

“Royal Wolverhampton Trust has always been a key partner and this project has cemented it even more whilst opening up more opportunities for further improvements in the healthcare service.

“The projects, products and learning would not have been successful without the extremely skilled and talented patient reps that we have been very lucky to work with.

“I look forward to the next step working on the products and continuing to make a difference through co-production.”

Melvyn Jones, Secretary Stroke Support West Midlands and a patient representative said: “At the start of the project, we quickly realised communication is key for both the patient and their families.

“We decided to develop an app, so everyone is on the same page and able to access the same information to keep up with updates and progress.

“It’s extremely useful for both medical professionals and stroke patients to be involved in this development.

“It has been a very special journey so far; I feel very valued to have my views and experience help improve the care of others is a true privilege.” 

Diane Baker, a patient representative for Learning Disabilities said: “I’m very proud of what we have achieved. Our new logo will help everyone – nurses, doctors, staff and people who need the support. I can’t wait for it to be in all the hospitals for everyone to see.”