Jenny Billings leads this project which aims to improve facilities of and local access to East Kent outpatient services. Using qualitative and quantitative methods the research team will undertake independent analysis of an outpatient services consultation designed to gauge public opinion of EKHUFT’s proposed Outpatient Clinical Strategy.

The CHSS team will design and develop instruments for gathering the information via online and written surveys, public events feedback sheets and telephone contact with KCMS. Researchers will pinpoint relevant demographic information for collection such as respondents’ age range, location and which outpatients departments they used.

Following the consultation, the team will collect and analyse the data, identifying themes and viewpoints of respondents taking account of group age and sex profiles. Free text replies to surveys and phone calls and verbal meetings contributions will be analysed according to whether respondents favour the proposed changes or prefer retaining existing outpatient services, have alternative suggestions or express specific grievances.  Researchers will conduct focus groups comprising a diverse range of people to collect a range of views and opinions. Results will inform the CHSS final report providing independent recommendations for EKHUFT in taking forward their Outpatient Strategy.

Start date: 01/11/2013 End date: 30/04/2014

Funder: Kent and Medway Commissioning Support Unit

Funding: £15,000

Publication: Evaluation of the Outpatients consultation in East Kent