Co-production matters poster

Levels of user involvement or partnership[1]

Engage – Invite users to give views

Co-design – Plan and design information together

Co-produce – Plan, design, create and review information with users as equal members of the team

Involve users in a meaningful way. Embrace the process – it’s easier than you think. Starting small is better than not involving users at all.

Plan engagement

• Plan user involvement throughout your project
• Describe users’ roles and responsibilities
• Ensure users match your audience – include those with lower health literacy[2] and disadvantaged people[3]
• Include budget to pay people for their time[4], but be aware of the impact on Universal Credit payments[5]
• Consider safe guarding[6]

Use the right method for the task or stage

• Steering groups
• Focus groups
• Engagement events and development workshops
• Surveys and interviews

Run sessions effectively

• Use plain language in all materials
• Choose an independent facilitator who understands the user group
• Run sessions in familiar, accessible settings[7]
• Set objectives for each engagement
• Be flexible, new issues may emerge
• Thank users and show how you have acted on their insights

Co-produce health information whenever you can.

User testing and feedback

• Test with users not involved in the development
• Invite feedback on live projects

Work with users – make health information easy to use, accessible and relevant.

References

1. https://pifonline.org.uk/resources/how-to-guides/involving-users
2. https://library.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/Health-Literacy-Toolkit.pdf
3. https://pifonline.org.uk/resources/posters/health-literacy-matters-infographic
4. https://www.nice.org.uk/get-involved/our-committees/what-lay-members-do/lay-member-payments-and-expenses
5. https://www.nice.org.uk/get-involved/our-committees/what-lay-members-do/lay-member-payments-and-expenses/how-lay-member-payments-affect-benefits
6. https://assets-global.website-files.com/5ffee76a01a63b6b7213780c/651411b1bac81e3451940a0a_Co-Production%20Collective%20Safeguarding%20Statement%20.pdf
7. https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/equality-frameworks-and-information-standards/accessibleinfo/

Published by the Patient Information Forum October 2023. Review date: October 2025.

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