Public perceptions of the future of Primary Care

JESS DRINKWATER & SARAH SKYRME GP & NIHR Clinical Lecturer, University of Manchester Blog co-written with Sarah Skyrme, Research Associate, University of Manchester

We are doing a piece of research, led by Jess Drinkwater, that is looking at how we can work together with members of local patient and public involvement (PPI) groups who are interested in being involved in research as co-researchers. In this role, there would be space for public contributors to be actively involved in shaping and delivering research, rather than acting solely in an advisory role.

Together, we are creating a short survey that will ask people what they want from primary care and exploring their understanding of terms such as ‘neighbourhood health service’ and ‘family doctor’. Co-researchers will ask members of their community groups (faith groups, social groups etc.) to complete the survey. We hope to reach people who might not ordinarily do a survey, and we also hope to learn more about how to work together to create and deliver a survey as part of a collaboration between university researchers and PPI members.

At our first workshop held on 12 May 2025, Monday we thought about what being a public contributor means, what skills we each bring, any training we might need, and we discussed what shared values we thought were important for our group. During the meeting, Russ Cowper wrote a poem based on our discussion of shared values. Here is the poem, followed by some words and thoughts from Russ about our first workshop.

We are honest

We are open

We are warm

We are welcoming.

Everyone will be heard

And given a chance

No one will be left askance.

We are diverse

We are respectful

Non judgemental

And we’re flexible.

We are transparent

Engaging

Fun

And challenging

Gathered in a large meeting room at Manchester University were members of Mancunian PPI groups interested in becoming involved as co-researchers. 

We were treated to an interesting and innovative workshop that gathered our thoughts and ideas on research, we shared our experiences and explained the various roles we as a group had undertaken. This showed the vast experience of the public contributors in attendance. 

The workshop set the scene quite perfectly for the challenges that will follow and friendships were made on the day that will definitely help as project progresses. The atmosphere on the day was warm, friendly, fun and inclusive, it was everything that PPIE contributors expect. 

Jess Drinkwater was exceptional at facilitating the workshop and I believe it has really wet the appetite for what is going to happen as the piece of research continues to its end goal. 

Personally I thoroughly enjoyed the day and can't wait to be involved further. 

Poem by Russ Cowper, public contributor