South East London Experience-Based Co-Design for Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Mental Health

The pulmonary rehabilitation and mental health project aims to use an experience-based co-design (EBCD) approach to understand how access to – and engagement with – mental health services can be improved for patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an exercise-based programme designed for people living with a variety of respiratory diseases to provide tailored advice and guidance on managing their condition and symptoms, including shortness of breath. The project will provide actionable insights, reflecting service users’ priorities, to improve access to mental health support for patients with long-term respiratory conditions.

Experience-based co-design (EBCD) tool (developed by the Point of Care Foundation) is an approach that enables staff and patients (or other service users) to work together to identify key themes and areas for change. It was designed to develop simple solutions that offer patients a better experience of treatment and care.

A key part of the process involves gathering experiences from patients and staff through filmed interviews. An edited film is created from patient interviews and shown to staff and patients, conveying patient experience in an impactful way. Staff and patients are then brought together to explore the findings and work in groups to identify themes, priorities and recommendations that will improve the service or the care pathway.

The project will include:

• Staff and patient interviews
• The production of a ‘catalyst’ film
• Patient and staff feedback co-design events
• Production of a report, identifying insights for future pathway redesign