East London NHS Foundation Trust Estates – a transformational approach to service user engagement – East London NHS Foundation Trust

Nominee Information

East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) is proud to present our submission for the Estates and Facilities Award. As an outstanding mental health, community, and primary care trust, ELFT is dedicated to delivering exceptional services to users of care both on and off wards. Our estate plays a pivotal role in fostering patient recovery and well-being, serving as a cornerstone of our holistic approach to mental health care.

Current Initiative

Involvement of Service Users in Coproduction and Codesign: ELFT is committed to ensuring that the voices and perspectives of service users are central to our service development and policy design processes. We held public town hall meetings to coproduce our new Estates Environment Strategy. A further notable initiative includes the inclusion of service users as attendees at each of our Engineering Safety Groups, where they receive relevant training and contribute to the enhancement of safety standards.
2. Environmental Assurance Groups (EAGs): ELFT has implemented local Environmental Assurance Groups (EAGs) across all inpatient units. These are locally led an provide patients with a platform to actively engage in the management of their care environment. These groups not only empower patients but also foster a sense of ownership and collaboration, ultimately contributing to improved patient experiences and outcomes.

3. Estates People Participation Lead (PPL): Recognizing the importance of facilitating engagement between service users, clinical teams, and estates, ELFT has introduced the innovative role of the People Participation Lead (PPL). This dedicated individual serves as a bridge, facilitating communication and encouraging service user involvement in estate and facility-related matters. We have also appointed a PPL to lead patient engagement with our Green Plan as we prepare our Trust to achieve NZC

4. Service User Reporting Programme: To promote transparency and accountability, ELFT has established a dedicated email address for service users to directly report matters associated with the environment, estates, and facilities. Our People Participation Lead ensures prompt responses and updates, fostering trust and collaboration between service users and the trust.

5. Annualised PLACE Programme: ELFT’s commitment to engaging with service users is exemplified through our innovative annualised Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) Programme response. By recruiting & actively involving service users throughout the year and providing comprehensive training, we ensure transparent, engaging, and honest assessments that drive our positive actions and improvements.

6. Collaborative Contractor Engagement: ELFT values the contributions of our contractors and supply chain partners as integral members of our team. Through active engagement and collaboration, they play a vital role in delivering high-quality services that meet the diverse needs of our service users.

Conclusion: ELFT stands at the forefront of innovation and excellence in mental health care. Our commitment to involving service users in coproduction, fostering engagement through initiatives like EAGs, Safety Groups and the PPL roles, and prioritizing transparency through programs like the PLACE Programme, reflects our dedication to delivering patient-centred care. We are privileged to do what we do look forward to continuing our mission of enhancing the well-being of those we serve