This category was designed to recognise initiatives that have led to an improvement in healthcare professional and patient communication. It included approaches to improving face-to-face consultations, such as tools that help patients to get the most out of their discussions, or skills training for healthcare professionals. Initiatives that improve the patient experience during a consultation or facilitate information sharing were also entered.

Winner:

Hull & East Riding Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Partnership with First Pill Teach

This entry, which also received a highly commended award in category A, was designed to address many of the widespread misconceptions around the use of the contraceptive pill and to help clients to take the combined pill properly.

Users were heavily involved in helping to develop materials in terms of deciding the colour, content and ‘understandability’ of the materials produced. The campaign was developed following three pieces of local research, including a Yorkshire Region Pill Audit by prescribing doctors, and participatory appraisal exercise with local young people. Sixty two young people were involved in the consultation process and helped to shape the materials which included a CD called Get the Facts, a colourful leaflet for teachers and clients, and a pill wallet with a mirror, space for a strip of the pill and the leaflet. The ‘Get the Facts’ CD was produced with local young people providing the voice overs and is anonymous (i.e. no wording on the cover) so it can slip into a CD collection and not raise suspicion (a concern of some clients). Colleagues who work with people with learning disabilities also checked the materials to ensure they were suitable for their clients.

Runner-up:

Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) Research Trust with Notes on the Management of CGD

Highly commended:

Macmillan Cancer Support with A directory of information materials for people with cancer

Highly commended:

The Steven Shackman Practice with The Essentials Tests & Checks Booklet