Participation strategy
Our Participation Strategy was created to encourage and facilitate the maximum possible participation of patients and local people in the CCG's work with the belief that participation with us should be easy and rewarding.
The strategy was refreshed in 2018 and updated in January 2020. To ensure we gained maximum feedback on the process we contaced a wide mix of people and stakeholders. Our two patient representatives to the board were key contributors, as were our lay board members as they have responsibility for patient and public involvement which was a vital part of this process. In combination with these key people we also sought feedback widely from stakeholders and partners including:
- PPI committee
- Local patient engagement network
- Healthwatch Hertfordshire
- NHS England
- Local NHS providers
- Herts County Council scrutiny officers
- Health and Wellbeing Board
This allowed us to get a wide range of views as to what should be included in the strategy and what they would want and expect to see from us. These comments were incorporated in the strategy and have helped shape it’s direction.
Participation strategy: equality impact assessment (EQIA)
The strategy sets out how the CCG will approach patient and public engagement. Public involvement in commissioning is about enabling people to express their views and contribute to plans, proposals and decisions about services.
Constitution
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Here is our commitments as outlined in our constitution.
In carrying out its functions the CCG shall make arrangements to secure public involvement in the planning, development and consideration of proposals for changes and decisions affecting the operation of commissioning arrangements.
Local people will be encouraged to become involved in:
- The planning of the CCG commissioning arrangements.
- The development and consideration of the proposals by the CCG for changes in the commissioning arrangements.
- The decisions of the CCG affecting the operation of commissioning arrangements where the decisions would, if made, impact on the manner in which the services are delivered to the individuals or the range of health services available to them.
The CCG will use a range of methods for involving the public and these will be set out in the participation strategy and published on the website.
A formal sub-committee of the Governing Body will be responsible for assuring the Governing Body of meaningful participation. This is the patient and public involvement committee (PPI) and it will also be a focal point for gathering views from local patient representatives from all four localities.
The Governing Body will have patient representation to the Governing Body itself – by way of a representative of the patient and public involvement committee.
The CCG will ensure that participants are provided with information about decision-making processes when involved in CCG activities. The CCG shall actively promote the involvement of patients, their carers and the public in meeting its strategic objectives.
At all times, the CCG shall act with a view to enabling patients to make choices in respect of those health services provided for them.
The CCG Governing Body shall prepare and publish on its website, clear information about how local people can participate in a range of ways. This will be reviewed regularly and will form part of its participation strategy, for review every two years.