Cookham Discussion Board

Approximately 2.2 million people have been strongly advised to stay at home by the Government during the coronavirus pandemic, as they have been identified as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ and therefore in need of shielding. People who are shielded have been advised not to leave their homes or gardens, including for exercise, shopping or to go to work. However, of the 2.2 million quoted, how many of these individuals are sufficiently informed that they have this status, and all that this implies?
 
Although the Government’s shielding guidance is advisory, there was and has been little engagement with Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) to establish the needs of this large group of patients. In fact, on the 19th March, NHS England published guidance that enables Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to suspend all engagement with PPGs, with an option to discontinue the collation and reporting of patient experience data, as well as to delay responses to complaints and cease any local meetings of patient groups.  It is disappointing at a point in time when patient empowerment and engagement (particularly of the most vulnerable) are most needed, that this decision was made.  Since our broadcast, it has been announced that from Monday 6 July, shielding guidelines will be relaxed and that at the end of July, people will no longer be advised to shield.
 
Ideally, N.A.P.P as the national organisation  representing PPGs, should be directly involved in decision-making within the NHS as there are real concerns surrounding the suspension of vital engagement processes precisely when they are most needed. Furthermore, questions are being raised as to whether patients’ voices are being heard at all during this crisis.
 
‘Patient engagement’ means involving patients from the outset, as they can provide valuable insights into what is needed both for themselves and their community. In addition, without hearing patient voices, do we really know how effective the ‘stay at home’ message and other important communications have been?
 
The latest figures released by the Office of National Statics reveal that that up to half of people who are shielding from Covid-19 have left their home against the Government’s advice - mainly due to the pressures of work and isolation. And worryingly, a third of those shielding said their mental health had worsened during lockdown, particularly for those under 60. A fifth had been unable to access certain types of healthcare, such as tests or scans, and a tenth had had no access to care. A fifth also said that their existing condition had gotten worse in lockdown.
 
Whilst we navigate our way out of the lockdown, and protect the most vulnerable when lockdown is lifted, communication is vital in order to make sure that patients’ needs are met. Therefore, more than ever engagement with patients is needed.
 
On Friday 19th June 2020, On Air Media were joined by Dr Patricia Wilkie, OBE, President of The National Association of Patient Participation (N.A.P.P), Dr Folarin Majekodunmi, Chairman of N.A.P.P., and Gemma Jackson, Patient Participation Group (PPG) Chair of Thornton Practice Wyre Lancashire, to discuss the importance of PPGs in supporting patients through this crisis.