July Highlights from the Public Engagement Network

Care Quality Commission (CQC)’s Public Engagement and Insight Lead and ICS Inspectors ran a focus group this month. It covered ‘People’s experience in CQC Integrated Care System Assessments’ and was open to all PEN members.

CQC has been given responsibilities under the Health and Care Act 2022 to assess Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). ICSs bring together all the organisations involved in health and care in a local area, working together to plan services and improve health.

CQC heard your thoughts on what would motivate you and the people you represent to be involved in their ICS assessments. PEN members support CQC in developing the questions they could ask during assessments when speaking to people to gather their experiences.

PEN members gave feedback on accessibility, language and communication.

We are thankful to the many groups who joined and who represented the diverse range of people who use health and care services in England.

Quirky Kids offers support groups and events for families who have children, young people and adults with a disability and/or autism.

PEN’s Community Engagement Officer for the Midland, Diane Lewis, visited the charity during the school summer break earlier this month. She attended a local community centre where the children Quirky Kids support were engaging in a variety of fun sports, arts and musical activities.

Diane spoke with the parents and carers about their own and their children’s experiences of care.

We received valuable feedback on care and important insights from the visit. Thank you to Quirky Kids and everyone who engaged with us.