4. New "web 2.0" approaches
New "web 2.0" approaches building on the recent developments in public, service user partnerships and engagement, and in particular, innovative use of the web holds much promise for widening patient and citizen involvement in an efficient and egalitarian way. The potential of new "web 2.0" approaches to enabling widespread public engagement at low cost could be valuable in rural areas. Active consideration should be given to the Welsh Assembly, LHBs and others funding and supporting the pioneering work of Patient Opinion (http://www.patientopinion.org.uk), which would support the work of a number of partners.
Patient Opinion, a social enterprise, is currently geared up to receiving comments, views, ideas, suggestions and complaints from citizens in Wales. The way to make this bottom up approach a reality is for patients, service users, carers, relatives and friends to use this facility. Could this service be championed by CHCs in Wales; carer, children and age organisations; members of WCVAs Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Network and associated alliances and networks? Could Patient Opinion be invited to Wales to present their work and answer questions?
Should such accountability arrangements be developed to support the development of work plans for the new Public Health Wales NHS Trust? Could CSSIW support a pilot to enable service users and carers to have an opportunity to provide feedback on specific residential homes in Wales? Do we need a cross organisational approach, but one which is independent of service providers to promote and support Patient Opinion in Wales?
Overall, these suggestions could also help improve consistency between the new LHBs, inform the appraisal process for LHB Boards / Public Health Wales NHS Trust chairs and vice chairs, NEDs, executive team members, and support a process reflecting local needs and circumstances. If requested, we could assist in drafting appropriate high-level National Advisory Board CE guidance, which is currently missing.
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