A key area of work during 2022 was to work and engage with people and communities to inform the development of the ICS strategic priorities.  This work also involved gaining insight  from voluntary and community sector organisations working with marginalised communities. The report also includes key themes collated in November 2021 of insight gained during the pandemic.   Themes raised include  trust and cultural awareness, access issues, mental health and wellbeing, maternity and early years, children and young people, living with long term conditions and complex needs, wider societal issues, partnership working and coproduction with local people.

You can read the report of insight from April – December 2022 here.

You can read the analysis of insight gained during the pandemic and collated in November 2021 here.

We commissioned community engagement as part of our development of  the working with people and communities strategic framework.  This work also informed the ICS strategy development process.

Themes raised included access to services and that face to face appointments are key to enabling access to services and support for people whose first language is not English, which is also important for establishing relationships and building trust. We also heard we need to develop more trauma-informed support and treatment for local people.

You can read the Act for Change report about the views of young people from Afro-Caribbean communities in Bexley and Greenwich here.

You can read the Creating Ground report about the views of migrant women in Greenwich and Lewisham here.

You can read the East African Association report about views from Somali women from Lambeth, Southwark and Greenwich here.

You can read the Lambeth Links report about views from the LGBTQ+ community here.

You can read the Panjshir Aid report about views form the Afghani community in Southwark here.

You can read the South East Islamic and Cultural Centre report from the Bengali community in Greenwich here.

The Joint Programme for Patient, Carer and Public Involvement in Covid Recovery is a partnership between Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The programme was funded over two years, by the trusts’ charities to ensure the involvement of patients, carers, and the public in the changes and development of services necessitated by the Covid pandemic.

Year 1: 2020-21

Working with Ipsos MORI, a telephone survey of 1,500 people explored patient, carer and public attitudes and behaviours to accessing care and services during the Covid pandemic.

Insights included:

• Experiences of using hospital services face-to-face during the pandemic were largely positive – the majority said they felt comfortable using these services. But parents and carers, responding on behalf of a child or adult, were less positive.
• Views on restrictions on visitors and carers or family members accompanying patients to appointments were very divided.

For more insights, visit Ipsos MORI’s website.

Year 2: 2021-22

Working with London South Bank University, the programme brought together 180 patients, carers and healthcare professionals to focus on three topics. Through a series of workshops, people shared knowledge and insights, co-developed tools and tested potential solutions and improvements.

Examples of insights, including access to multimedia reports and tools and further information on each theme please click on the project heading links below.

Virtual access to care

• Virtual means visual. Patients need choice about having cameras switched on or off for online appointments.
• Apply more of current best practice guidance about virtual appointments.

Waiting for treatment and self-management

• A ‘safe waiting care plan’ for patients could include information about what is coming next, what to look out for and who to contact when things change.
• ‘Care navigators’ could guide people whilst they wait and advocate on their behalf.

Long Covid

• The range of symptoms people experience is vast and complicated. Services need to recognise the whole person and their individual needs.
• More information and education are needed for healthcare professionals, employers, family members and friends – about what Long COVID is and how to help

Next steps

Work is underway to ensure that the projects’ recommendations influence and drive changes that can improve patients’ care and experiences across south east London and beyond.

For more information about the Joint Programme, please get in touch with: Philippa Yeeles

We carried out the first survey of the South East London People’s Panel with a representative sample of 590 residents across all six boroughs.

Whilst the majority of respondents report that they feel healthy, happy and in control of their lives there is around one sixth to one quarter of respondents giving poor scores in these areas.

Just over a quarter of respondents report that they currently feel lonely with this being higher amongst young adults compared to those over 65 years old.

Nearly a quarter of respondents stated that the costs of living crisis was at the forefront of their mind.

Improved personal finances was the top of the list of changes that respondents feel would be most effective in keeping themselves healthy and well closely followed by eating more healthily and improved living conditions along with increased activity, more holidays and reduced stress.

However, over half of respondents reported that they would find it difficult to make the changes that they feel is necessary to  keep themselves healthy and well.

You can read the full report here.

Over the summer of 2023 we will be building on the insights from this survey, working with organisations across south east London, including NHS hospitals universities, local councils and voluntary and community sector organisations, to co-design solutions to the issues communities are facing that affect their wellbeing.

In partnership with the charity CitizensUK, we will be hosting listening workshops with many communities across south east London to better understand what action institutions can take to support people with challenges such as the cost of living, social isolation, and access to secure and healthy work.