Do you have poor health or social care
needs or look after someone who
does?
Could you spare us an hour of your time to talk to us about
your experiences of health and social care in Sunderland?
In Sunderland we’re leading the way to test a new way of working that brings together
health and social care professionals, such as nurses, doctors, social workers, therapists
and social care specialists along with support agencies like Age UK Sunderland and the
Sunderland Carers’ Centre.
It is initially aimed at people in the city who need a high level of care (people with several
complex conditions or disabilities) and those who look after them.
We recently carried out some general research with local people about their awareness
and perceptions of health and social care services, in Sunderland. This gave us a lot of
interesting information and we’d now like to get a better, more detailed understanding of
those findings by interviewing a small group of volunteers directly about their experiences.
Who do you want to hear from?
If you get care and support from professionals like your GP, district nurses, a social
worker, therapists or Sunderland Care and Support at home, in your care home or at your
local GP practice then you probably have a lot to tell us.
We are focussing on ‘community care’ – any health and social care that is provided out of
hospital.
This is not about care or treatment you get when visiting hospital or if you are admitted.
Importantly we want to hear from people who have had both good and bad experiences
(and mix of both).
We’d also like to interview you twice with around a 6 month gap in between. In both cases
it wouldn’t take longer than an hour, but it is important you can commit to two interviews.
1
All Together Better [Vanguard] Sunderland,
Sunderland Care and Support, Carrm ere Road, Leechm ere, Sunderland, SR2 9TQ
w w w.atbsunderland.org.uk
What do you want to know?
Based on your direct, ‘expert’ experience, the kind of information we want to know is:

How you feel about the way services are provided and how professionals and
support groups deliver them - what is working well and where it could be improved.

How involved you feel in planning care for yourself or someone you look after.

Your view of how effectively services work together; if your level of care has
improved or got worse recently and why you think that is.

How well you feel professionals communicate with you and other colleagues,
including how information is and should be shared and used.

If you or the person you look after’s opinion on levels of care and services is
different and why.
What will you do with my feedback?
The responses we gather will be analysed alongside feedback from other people in
Sunderland to compare views. It will be collated into a report to show us:
 where things are working well – to make sure we keep that level of service

where we can make improvements – including good ideas that could be built into
the services; or

where things are not working and we need to do something to fix it.
We will also share the feedback, anonymously, with all those who took part so you can see
what other people think too.
How many people do you need to interview?
We want to get around 25 – 30 people from across the city. We would also like to try to
get a good mix of people who need support directly or those who look after them as their
carer.
What will happen during the interview?
The research is being carried out by an independent research specialist. Interviews will be
informal and face to face. You will be able to talk freely but the person interviewing you
will have some loosely structured questions to ensure volunteers have the chance to talk
about the aspects of their experience that are most relevant to them.
2
All Together Better [Vanguard] Sunderland,
Sunderland Care and Support, Carrm ere Road, Leechm ere, Sunderland, SR2 9TQ
w w w.atbsunderland.org.uk
Will it be private?
Yes, everything you say will be kept confidential. We have appointed the independent
research specialist to carry out work. They don’t work for any of the organisations who
make up health and social care providers in Sunderland. This way we can be sure all
responses are both recorded accurately and that whoever is interviewed can remain
anonymous so they can talk freely about their experiences.
If we talk to you and your carer we’d ideally like to interview you separately, but it can be
on the same day at the same time.
There will always be two people at the interview. While one of the people may be from
one of the partner organisation they will still be impartial. If you prefer, they can sit outside
the room when you are interviewed but we have to send staff in pairs as part of the formal
process.
If you agree, interviewer may record your interview on tape. This helps us make sure we
get a very accurate record of what you say and don’t make mistakes or miss things out in
written notes.
If I volunteer, what will happen next?
The researcher will contact you to arrange the best time and place to meet you to carry out
the interview.
We can arrange to meet you at home or care home; a relatives’ or in another place where
you are most comfortable and is convenient to you.
This might be in Leechmere, at Sunderland Care and Support, perhaps at Age UK
Sunderland in the city centre or at Sunderland Carers’ Centre on Thompson Road,
Fullwell.
Researchers will have ID.
If you travel to see us we will reimburse your travel expenses.
If I am interested in helping, what do I need to do now?
You can email us at [email protected] or contact our independent
researcher, Soo Darcy, directly on 0191 645 6700 or
[email protected]'?
Initially we just need your contact details including a daytime telephone number and, if you
have one, and email address or your postal address so we can confirm things in writing.
3
All Together Better [Vanguard] Sunderland,
Sunderland Care and Support, Carrm ere Road, Leechm ere, Sunderland, SR2 9TQ
w w w.atbsunderland.org.uk