Local people needed to help design services in Thurrock

People in Thurrock with complex needs are being invited to help design future health and care support services, as part of a new initiative called The Thurrock Complex Care Project, and those who take part will be rewarded for their time and effort.

Those with complex needs have one or more challenges affecting their physical, mental social or financial wellbeing and quality of life.

Often, people with complex needs are also vulnerable and need support from two or more publicly funded services such as the NHS, social care and housing services as well as charities or voluntary sector organisations, on a daily or weekly basis.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is leading the public involvement work to review, redesign and improve the way integrated services are provided for people with complex needs through co-production.

EPUT will also pay people who get involved a one-off fee in recognition of their time and contribution, if they join one or more service redesign workshops in March 2022.

Matthew Sisto, Director of Patient Experience, Essex Partnership University Trust said:

“We are really excited about this project, which will bring together different service providers such as local national health services, social and housing providers as well as charities.

“This is because we recognise how crucial it is to put people who use services or have experience of them at the centre when designing them.

“Their lives are affected by how well services work together so they are best placed to help design future integrated services; we call this co-production which is bigger than just getting service users’ views.

“We are looking for people who are prepared to join one or more workshops in March, not just to share their experiences, but to put forward ideas on how services can be improved. For more information, please email admin@healthwatchthurrock.org“.