A project that captures people’s health and social care experiences has been shortlisted for a major international award – the project includes 11 ‘digital stories’ created for NHS Leeds.

The Patient Voices Programme (www.patientvoices.org.uk) has been shortlisted for the Health Communicator of the Year category at the BMJ Group Awards.

The Patient Voices Programme was set up in 2003 by Pip Hardy and Tony Sumner of Pilgrim Projects Limited. It aims to create and share, with a world-wide audience, the stories of ordinary people regarding their experiences of health and social care.

NHS Leeds brought the Patient Voices Programme to Leeds to create 11 ‘digital stories’ around the theme of Patient and Public Involvement. These short, mini-movies, created by patients themselves, provide a clear and compelling resource to communicate the personal stories of healthcare to healthcare staff and to patients, carers and the public. The stories range from:
• a father working with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to help his son cope with Asperger’s syndrome;
• a blood donor explaining why he decided to give blood; and
• how the Expert Patient Programme has helped someone with a long-term chronic condition.

Paul Sandom, Patient and Public Involvement Manager for NHS Leeds, one of the people who nominated Patient Voices for the award, says: “We are delighted to be part of the Patient Voices Programme and to have played a role in the shortlisting for this prestigious award. We want to thank Patient Voices/Pilgrim Projects Ltd for their ongoing support which has made this such an exciting project to work on.”

“More importantly, we wish to extend our thanks to those patients, carers and family members who have agreed to share their stories with us. We know that this has taken a lot of courage and that often the experience has been a rollercoaster of emotions.”

Tony Sumner from Patient Voices/Pilgrim Project Ltd adds: “The Leeds Patient Voices project has enabled clinicians and managers to gain a greater understanding of the importance and impact of engagement and user involvement. The project has resulted in increased empowerment and confidence for the storytellers, and understanding and commitment from professionals to create truly patient-centred services.”

The BMJ Awards recognise individuals, organisations and initiatives that have demonstrated outstanding and measurable contributions to healthcare. The Health Communicator of the Year Award celebrates initiatives promoting understanding of medicine and health through the media.

The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 10 March 2010 at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.

To see the Leeds-based stories visit: www.patientvoices.org.uk/leedspct.htm.