Influencing the design of a new GP practice in Aberdeen
Lauren Tweedley
PFPI Officer
Summary
An open day was used to inform patients and local communities about the relocation and merger of two GP practices in Aberdeen. Attendees at the event were invited to make suggestions to influence the design of the new practice. This feedback was added to the views of patients collected through face-to-face interviews.
Dates
Start Date: 9
End Date: 9
Location
Grampian
Sector
Primary care
Target groups
All groups
Methods Used
Face-to-face interviews, Public open day
Aims and objectives
To raise awareness among local residents, patients and local councillors about two GP practices in Aberdeen not only moving, but merging into one new practice.
To provide patients and stakeholders with the opportunity to influence the design of the new medical practice.
To provide patients and stakeholders with the opportunity to influence the design of the new medical practice.
What we did
A wider programme of communication and involvement with local communities was implemented between May 2009 and July 2011. This included face-to-face interviews with patients from both GP practices to see what was important to them in the design of the new building. Interviews were done by spending a day in each practice waiting room and speaking to patients as they came in.
To supplement this feedback, an open day was organised in order to obtain feedback from members of the public on the proposed plans. Community members, local councillors, local residents and patients were able to see plans, comment on the design and ask the project team questions. The open day was held in August 2009 at a local community centre. It was advertised by posters in the practices and in the community centre, and through letters that were sent to every patient, local interest groups, MPs and MSPs, local councillors and local residents. The letters gave the option to request information in other formats and languages.
To enable people that couldn’t attend the open day to see the plans, displays were set up in both practices to allow other patients to see the plans and access information about the proposals. People could leave comments and suggests in a comments box.
To supplement this feedback, an open day was organised in order to obtain feedback from members of the public on the proposed plans. Community members, local councillors, local residents and patients were able to see plans, comment on the design and ask the project team questions. The open day was held in August 2009 at a local community centre. It was advertised by posters in the practices and in the community centre, and through letters that were sent to every patient, local interest groups, MPs and MSPs, local councillors and local residents. The letters gave the option to request information in other formats and languages.
To enable people that couldn’t attend the open day to see the plans, displays were set up in both practices to allow other patients to see the plans and access information about the proposals. People could leave comments and suggests in a comments box.
Impact
Interview results were presented to the project team and incorporated into the design of the new practice. Patients wanted to see modern open spaces, more parking and fewer stairs. These features have been incorporated into the design.
The open day was successful in raising awareness about the move and merger and helped answer questions that key groups had. Patients have influenced the design of the building - and important factors to them such as modern surroundings, open spaces and fewer stairs have all been incorporated.
Suggestions for the new practice name came from both practice populations. The most popular and winning suggestion from patients was "Whinhill Medical Practice".
The new medical practice opened in December 2010. Patients and members of the public were kept informed throughout the move and merger process by posters and updates in the practices, newsletters and letters and information on the NHS Grampian website.
The open day was successful in raising awareness about the move and merger and helped answer questions that key groups had. Patients have influenced the design of the building - and important factors to them such as modern surroundings, open spaces and fewer stairs have all been incorporated.
Suggestions for the new practice name came from both practice populations. The most popular and winning suggestion from patients was "Whinhill Medical Practice".
The new medical practice opened in December 2010. Patients and members of the public were kept informed throughout the move and merger process by posters and updates in the practices, newsletters and letters and information on the NHS Grampian website.
Evaluation
The open day raised awareness about the move and merger and helped answer questions that key groups had.
Useful Links
Additional Project Documents
