On Tuesday 16 February, Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) hosted its very first patient engagement event at The Royal College of Physicians (RCP). The event was a valuable opportunity for ensuring that programme standards are based on patient centred evidence as well as clinical evidence, while bringing the focus back to patients and raising awareness of the IQIPS scheme among patient groups.
Lead by the RCP, and awarded by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS,) IQIPS is a professionally-led accreditation programme, with a strong emphasis on patient experience. Empowering patients to drive the agenda and shape the conversation has been a key priority for the RCP, IQIPS and UKAS alike.
IQIPS patient engagement day 2016
The day was opened by RCP president Jane Dacre, who talked about the value of providing patients with platforms and opportunities to drive improvements and by raising awareness and exerting influence over patient and commissioner choice.
With 31 patient groups and a total of 73 individuals in attendance, as well as delegates from key partners including Action on Hearing Loss, Crohn’s and Colitis UK, The Somerville Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Bladder and Bowel Foundation and Diabetes UK, the day saw a range of presentations, panel and round table discussions, led by some fantastic speakers.
Jane Blower, clinical associate – Office of the Chief Scientific Officer NHS England, who presented on professional standards and accreditation said:
I really enjoyed the afternoon, what a great mix of patient groups - such interesting people and good to hear the different views about accreditation and its value!
Some of the key learnings from the day included:
- the need for patient specific resources to explain why IQIPS can help them make important decision about where they can receive care
- a requirement to make more patients aware of how IQIPS works, how services become accredited and how patients are involved in the whole process
- a very strong call for IQIPS to look at ways to dispel some of the myths surrounding accredited services, including the impacts it may have on the patients and the services themselves.
RCP and IQIPS would like to thank all the speakers and presenters and particularly everyone that attended the day, and contributed to making it such a success.
If you would like to find out more about the event or to join the conversation, search #ImprovingPatientExperience on Twitter.
For any queries directly relating to IQIPS accreditation or who you can get involved, contact Madeline Corrigan askiqips@rcplondon.ac.uk