Service change resources

Service change resources

We have produced resources to help NHS boards, integration authorities and local councils effectively engage with patients, carers and the public in planning and developing local services.

Our Service Change Team can advise on using these resources and applying them to specific circumstances.

Contact our team

Some of these resources have an animation. To view only the resources that have an animation, click the button below. 

Animations

Involving people in option appraisal

A guide for boards and Integration Joint Boards who are planning events to involve people in option appraisal

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The engagement process for service change

This overview guide describes the key steps in the service change process which NHS boards and Integration Joint Boards should follow to involve people and co

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What is an option appraisal?

This animation explains how an option appraisal fits into the wider engagement process which NHS boards and integration joint boards are required to go through

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Integrating service change and impact assessment

Integrating service change engagement, Equality Impact Assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

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Identifying major service change

Some questions to help NHS boards consider whether a proposed change to a service could be considered 'major'

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Understanding the impact of changes

This short animation explains how impact assessment fits with the wider planning informing and engagement process.

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Supporting effective engagement

To be effective, engagement with communities should involve people early, make information readily available, give people enough time to participate and explain the decision-making process.

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Effective engagement

Robust planning is key to restarting community engagement when considering changes to health and care services

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Understanding the impact of proposed changes on transport and travel

This short animation explains how travel and transport are considered in proposed changes to the location of services.

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Communication and engagement plan template

This template will help you to plan your communication and engagement activity

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Using social media to support service change

Social media and online technology can complement traditional methods of informing, engaging and consulting people when planning and carrying out changes to health and care services

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Tips for effective engagement

Having supported over 300 service changes we have identified our top tips for effective community engagement

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Identifying and understanding stakeholders

Identifying and understanding the needs of stakeholders – and their potential interest in a topic or redesign of a service – is an essential part of effective communication and engagement.

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Evaluating engagement in service change

Evaluation considers whether an engagement process has met its outcomes, and what difference engaging with communities has made.

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Potential barriers to engagement

Understanding potential barriers to engagement can help make communication and engagement activities transparent and accessible.

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Benefits of early engagement

Staff from NHS Highland reflect on how members of the public were involved in a major service change, and how engaging people at an early stage helped to shape the final proposals

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