Today we launch our Summer of Listening! #elrsol

Today we launch our Summer of Listening - find out more here! #elrsol youtu.be/amFGTLXkY18

It is a wide programme of events, activities and tools that will feed into plans for future health services.

The 'Summer of Listening' programme aims to hear local people’s views, opinions and experiences across the whole range of healthcare services and strategies that it oversees

It includes engagement and listening events, plus new online and social media channels, providing more ways for the CCG to listen.

The findings from the programme will be unveiled at the CCG’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 8 September, from 12.30pm to 8pm, at Stamford Court, Manor Road, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 2LH and will inform future strategies and services in the area.

The Summer of Listening will include: 

Engagement on a range of planned care specialties – part of the CCG's involvement in the Better Care Together programme – including: 
Urology;
Orthopaedics;
Opthalmology;
General Surgery;
Ear, Nose and Throat; and
Gastroenterology.

A review of people’s experiences following the successful launch of the new urgent care service and urgent care centres in Oadby, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray and Oakham;

Engagement with GP practices over developing plans for commissioning of GP services and new federations of GP practices;

A review and refresh of the CCG’s highly successful 'Be Healthy, Be Heard' public membership scheme, which currently has over 4,000 members;

A review of how the CCG reaches out to, and hears the views of, seldom heard groups and those defined by the Equality Act 2010 as having protected characteristics, including: 
Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups;
Travellers; 
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) groups;
Young carers;
Teenagers; and 
People with mental health issues. 

A review of how the CCG engages with people for whom English is not their first language, or who have a visual or hearing impairment.

The Summer of Listening also includes the development and deployment of a host of new and expanded tools and techniques, including:

A revamped and redesigned website to enable people to engage directly with the CCG online, register their interests in particular services or areas of care, submit their views ideas and opinions 24-hours a day, seven days a week, from the comfort of their own home or via their mobile device or tablet;

A significantly expanded suite of social media channels, promoting two-way engagement and conversation between the CCG and the communities it serves, including harnessing the power of video and audio and pictures to share stories, views and insights;

A second year's tour of its highly popular Listening Booth; and

A new dedicated e-mail address for the CCG’s listening activities – listening@eastleicestershireandrutlandccg.nhs.uk

Commenting on the Summer of Listening, Chief Nurse and Quality Officer for East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG Carmel O'Brien, said: 

"We are really proud of our track record in listening to local people's' views and hearing their voice.  But we are never complacent and we are always looking to do more. That's why we are launching our Summer of Listening.  

"If you already engage with us, we want to give you new ways and new tools to help you do so even better. If you've never engaged with us, we'd love to hear from you.

"Of course, it's not simply about listening. It's about acting on what we hear.  We take everything that is said to us really seriously and ensure that it is taken into account when we look at the services we provide and how they are provided.

"So if you take the time and trouble to get involved in our summer of listening, I can assure you we will take the equal time and trouble to hear what you say and act on it.

“We’d also love to see as many people as possible at our AGM.”