Co-creation

It applies to any situation where our Trust works in equal partnership with people who use our services, carers, staff and partner organisations.

Why is co-creation important?

Our aim is for the voices of patients and carers to be sought out, listened to and acted upon at every level across our Trust. Co-creation can help empower our patients, increase the quality and efficiency of services and improve clinical outcomes.

Co-creation framework

Our co-creation framework defines what co-creation is, our types of co-creation and the values which underpin co-creation — compassion, respect and responsibility. Many patients. carers and staff have supported the co-creation of the framework over the past three years. It provides a firm foundation on which our shared co-creation journey is being built.

Co-creation in action

Co-creation projects across our Trust include:

• The publication of Ridgeway’s Writings – a collection of poetry, stories and artwork by patients, staff and carers at our Middlesbrough secure inpatient service.
• A study by involvement members into barriers to care, which resulted in the launch of a Trustwide staff challenge to tackle health inequalities.
• The creation of a 3D virtual tour of Roseberry Park Hospital to help ease the anxieties of patients attending appointments.

Types of co-creation

There are different ways for patients, carers, staff and partners to work together within co-creation. It isn’t possible, or appropriate, to co-produce everything. Identifying and assigning the type of co-creation for every opportunity enables us to be transparent and fair.

We have five types of co-creation:

• Inform – our Trust tells involvement members about a piece of work
• Engage – involvement members are asked for their opinions
• Involve – involvement members are actively influencing outcomes
• Collaborate – an equal, two-way partnership and shared decision-making 
• Co-produce – an equal partnership and decision-making across a whole project

Get involved

If you’re a patient or carer and have had lived experience of our Trust services within the last two years, you can register as an involvement member and become involved in co-creation. The views and personal experiences of patients and carers are vital in helping our Trust shape and improve services. You could:

• Help to recruit and select staff
• Join focus groups, reviewing services and providing feedback
• Take part in service improvement events and staff training
• Join our co-creation boards
• Assist with ward inspections and site visits
• Attend participation groups and taking part in activities and workshops, while sharing views and ideas