Read what people involved in Year of Care Partnerships® have said and listen to them talk about it in their own words.

 

Experience of service users - the benefits of preparation (receiving results and agenda setting prompts)

People with long-term conditions

“Each time I get a greater understanding of my condition and understand more about how I can go about maintaining and improving it” 

”I could focus on the important things for me and get help”

"Sometimes...when you get to the surgery you forgot half of it! I had it all written down...was able to ask her what I feel were the more important things"

”Time to read (results) and think about what to raise...you know what was coming”

“It’s better now. There is more chance to see things and judge for yourself. My family can look at the information – it’s helpful for them to understand. Things are better...it is a lot better for me to understand these things”

“I know what is going on now which is a relief. I know what I need to do and what will happen if I don’t. I do feel more in charge both during the consultation and in managing my condition”

Professionals

"It's simply a better way of working" 

"Personalised care planning has made me look at patients differently. I focus less on the disease and take a more holistic perspective" 

"Conversations are different now - the agenda setting prompt has given patients permission to talk about things and has led to some interesting conversations"

“It’s actually more rewarding. We don’t spend so much time doing heights, weights etc. We spend more time engaging with patients and finding out about their problems at home rather than ticking boxes" 

“I enjoy doing the clinic a lot more now...working with them rather than at them" 

“The new pathway is not only more patient-centred but more efficient in time for both patients and healthcare professionals" 

"If I were a patient I would want to have a personalised care planning system in place. I think it respects people more as individuals. It gives people more rights"

Commissioners

"Our (previous) model addressed the primary and secondary care professional needs...but the missing jigsaw piece was the patient perspective. Personalised care planning helped change the focus to improving patient interaction alongside upskilling. No amount of professional education will make a difference if the consultation skills and self-care support elements are lacking"