Step 2: Identify what change you would like to see, and where

Here we have some information to help you to identify a clear idea of the specific issue you are trying to address.

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Spotlight on learning from local partner Moray Wellbeing Hub

The content displayed on this page was produced by Moray Wellbeing Hub and describes their reflections, experiences and learning over the years about lived experience leadership in driving change in healthcare / mental health services.

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Now that you have a clear idea of what the specific issue you are trying to address is; who it affects and how, it is time to identify what change you or others would like to see, and where (e.g. GP practice, GP cluster, community services, nationally, etc.). Some questions that may help with this are:

  • What would you/others have liked that experience to be?
  • What could professionals/the service have done differently to ensure you/others had a positive experience?

It is worth reflecting on your or others’ full experiences, from the first point of contact or communication with the service or professional to after you received information, advice, treatment, care and/or support. This approach will help you (and others) get a sense of how things developed and points at which your experience could have been made more positive.

Perhaps explore what others have experienced by reading some collective views shared in reports. Examples include published responses to consultations like this one from CAPS Advocacy, collective voice reports that Moray Wellbeing Hub collate, or from a particular perspective such as those that VoX Scotland have helped lead.

Tip! – Avoiding bias: Understandably we can anticipate stigma if we have experienced it before in healthcare. Negatively predicting something before it happens can also be known as ‘bias’. To avoid this, look at the issue from other perspectives, check out your plans with a supporter and try to be specific about the change you want rather than make generalisations.

“We pay for these services from public money, but I want to know if some are private businesses like GP practices where are the things like communications of their values, their KPIs etc. All things you’d see other businesses do to communicate how well they do their job, where our investment goes.”

Case Study: Identifying the need for change

After failing to book a last-minute appointment with her GP, Mary was feeling unsupported, frustrated and angry. When speaking about it with a friend, Mary decided that rather than leave the practice she should do something about it, as she is unlikely to be the only patient having this experience. She wants the receptionist to have a better understanding of how to support people with mental health challenges.