Co-production and engagement with communities as a solution to reducing health inequalities (April 2024)

Summary

Co-production is a method of engaging with communities, via partnership and power-sharing between professionals and communities to co-create solutions and decisions, with the intended long-term benefit of improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. This report from NHS Providers outlines the principles of co-production and actions trusts can take to apply engagement methodologies across their organisation. It provides an overview of different forms of engagement and summarises the potential benefits to trusts, including improved patient experiences and outcomes, and the delivery of more inclusive healthcare services that better meet the needs of local communities. It also makes the connection between engagement, co-production and the broader health inequalities agenda, unlocking the potential for collaboratively developing solutions to address complex barriers to health services experienced by some communities.

Content

The report looks at:

• The value of co-production and engagement with communities
• How does co-production and engagement contribute to reducing health inequalities?
• The role of trusts
• East London NHS Foundation Trust – Commitment at scale
• Solent NHS Trust – Alongside communities
• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Anchoring on the coast