Enhancing Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research and Care

This CMVM impact fund project aims to enhance Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services at NHS Lothian, with a particular focus on abortion and contraception. Although abortion is one of the most common gynaecological procedures in the UK, there is limited understanding of what is effective in involving patients and publics in abortion and contraception-related PPIE activities. This is arguably due to systemic stigma and concerns over privacy and visibility. While advocacy and activist groups exist within the field of abortion and SRH, the voices and engagement opportunities for ‘non-activists’, especially those with abortion experience, are limited and largely invisible.

Our project will explore the PPIE needs and preferences of current NHS Lothian SRH service users. The aim is to gather perspectives and insights on PPIE to inform work to establish a dedicated abortion/SRH PPIE group. This consultation process will include an anonymous survey with SRH service users in NHS Lothian, allowing patients and the public to engage with key issues and share their perspectives on PPIE needs and preferences. It will enable us to identify the areas of care where patients and the public most want to engage in PPIE activities.

The insights gathered through this element of the consultation and engagement process will be shared at a knowledge exchange event, bringing together patients, community groups, healthcare providers and researchers. At this event we will develop key principles and an initial action plan for PPIE practice, which will inform our work to collaboratively establish a dedicated abortion and contraception PPIE group in NHS Lothian. This group will support collaboration throughout the research process and contribute to improving abortion and contraception research and services in the long term.