Evaluating the engagement of seldom heard groups in commissioning health services.

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of public engagement (PE) conducted by NHS Sheffield (formally known as Sheffield Primary Care Trust, and referred to in this report as the PCT). The focus of the evaluation was on engagement with “harder to reach” or “seldom heard” communities to inform the World Class Commissioning decisions made by the PCT (Department of Health, 2007). The evaluation took place between December 2008 and August 2009 and was conducted by a small team at Sheffield Hallam University. With World Class Commissioning the obligation for the PCT to engage with the public and health service users, and to be equitable in this activity, came together under a banner of commissioning (Department of Health, 2007). This is aligned with a commitment to the involvement of citizens in order to drive up the efficiency or effectiveness of services, improve health and meet personalisation and patient-centred care targets. (Department of Health 2006, 2008). Nationally the status and nature of public engagement has increased. However, PCTs are struggling with engagement of seldom heard groups, and demonstrating how public engagement impacts upon commissioning decisions.