News > Patient and public involvement

Thames Valley University have produced a report on strengthening the public voice in shaping sexual and reproductive health services.

Patient and public engagement (PPE) presents particular challenges for sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS (SRHH) services due to stigma and confidentiality issues, especially in London which has the highest UK prevalence of sexual ill-health. People at risk of poor SRHH are least likely to have their voices heard, particularly: ethnic minorities, young people, sex workers and those with mental illness, substance misuse problems and disabilities.

This project, commissioned by the London Sexual Health Programme, aimed to review current policy, guidelines and practice on PPE in SRHH and produce recommendations on how to effectively engage patients and the public in SRHH services. This includes a short section on patient information - an issue raised by service users, but not by any of the health professionals involved in the consultation.

Click here to download a copy of the report.