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Procedure No PDUG 02/04

2. To ensure the User Group principles are adhered to a far as is reasonably Practicable.

The User Group has 6 principles that were agreed upon by all stakeholders during the extensive countywide consultation exercise in 2000.

• Consistency
• Equity of access
• Relevance
• User control
• Best use of resources
• Joint working

An expansion on these principles is given on page 28

Whenever a decision is to be made by the User Group these principles shall be applied to whatever options are available. A formal option appraisal process will conduct this with scores recorded for each principle against each option. The results will be published in Bright Ideas and on the web to ensure transparency.

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Procedure No PDUG 03/04

3. To ensure that all service Users are kept informed

The User Group shall provide a 16 page quarterly newsletter containing such information as requested by the recipients. Other information deemed useful or interesting to Users will be provided as available.

All User Group meetings will be documented, minutes will be sent to those Users requesting copies. Any user requesting this information will have it provided free of charge. This information shall also be made available on the web site and will evolve to contain such information, as the Users request as far as is reasonably practical.

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Procedure No PDUG 04/04

4. To ensure that a trained User representative is available to sit on interviewing panels where appropriate.

The User Group shall provide a trained User representative to sit on interviewing panels for disability service staff to provide the Users perspective on the candidate. The User representative shall have undergone formal training as agreed by the User Group. The User Group shall choose the User representative using its own selection criteria. The User representative shall adhere to all employers' policies and User Group procedures (Page31 ) relating to staff selection. Should there be a disagreement between parties the employer will take the final decision. The User representative shall report back to the User Group on the effectiveness and suitability of the procedure.

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Procedure No PDUG 05/04

5.  To ensure a safe environment is provided where Users can be consulted on services relevant to their needs as service Users.

For an expansion on the meaning of a “Safe environment” please turn to the Glossary of terms Safe environment

In order to provide a safe environment where Users can be consulted a quarterly User Group meeting will be held. These meetings will be open to any User of physical disability services who wishes to attend.

• All Users will be entitled to travel expenses, which will be reimbursed on the day of the meeting.
• The rate is 37 pence per mile if using own transport or Taxis will be paid for on presentation of receipt.
• Any other individual attending these meetings other than a User will only attend by invitation from the Group.
• All parties will treat each other with respect and openness.
• All individuals' views and experiences will remain confidential unless agreed to the contrary by the individual and shall remain within the meeting.
• Relevant services.

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Such services that are believed to be relevant to this User Group are.

•  Disabled equipment services.

•  Wheelchair services.

•  Respite care.

•  Crisis care.

•  Rehabilitative care.

•  Palliative care.

•  Housing adaptations.

•  Therapy services.

•  Day care.

•  Social Inclusion services.

•  Transport.

•  Voluntary services

Although the list is not exhaustive such items for discussion shall be relevant to disabled people and will contain services that the User Group has the possibility of influencing.

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Procedure No PDUG 06/04

6.  To ensure services are monitored from a Users perspective.

To ensure a true User perspective of a service is obtained the group shall adopt the guidelines as laid down in pages 32-34.

 

Procedure No PDUG 07/04

7. To ensure the User Group is adding value to the service.

The Kaplan and Norton 1992 “ Balanced Score Card” system will be used to monitor and provide an overview of the User Group. This will be consistent with the embedding of Clinical Governance into service planning and delivery as per Northampton Community Healthcare NHS Trust: Clinical Governance Report and Development Plan 2000-2001. Pages 35-6.

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