The PCT wanted to improve the format and content of the Annual Report, making it more user-friendly and employed several different, but coordinated approaches to consulting with a diverse range of stakeholders. This included:
- Attendance at the local Youth Council, part of which encompassed discussion and facilitated feedback on the prior year’s report
- Distribution of a questionnaire, by mail, to a number of diverse stakeholders such as the three local associations of voluntary services, the County Council, the local Ethnic Minorities Forum and the Westcliff and Southend Hebrew Congregation
- Solicitation of feedback from the PCT’s Readers Panel – a panel of volunteers who routinely read and critique PCT publications
- Solicitation of feedback from the PCT’s Patient and Public Voice Group
- Face-to-face discussions and solicitation of feedback from the general public via a stand manned by the PCT staff at the Rayleigh Association of Voluntary Services Open Day
Most forms of consultation were simply added to existing PCT processes, not stand-alone exercises, which increases their efficiency.
The consultation, using the 2006/07 Annual Report as a baseline document, sought to obtain:
- General commentary, in other words, first impressions of each section of the Annual Report
- Suggestions for improvements that could be made in the 2007/08 Annual Report
As a result the 2007/08 Annual Report will be more tailored to readers’ needs. Also, improved inter-relations with a wider range of stakeholders should facilitate improved communications and participation in future publicity drives and consultation exercises.