"Community of Interest for Online Discussion - Values Exchange: debate social issues "

This Community of Interest uses the Values-Exchange website to promote debates and discussion to influence change.

In particular the use of Values Exchange by the Trust is timely as the University of Nottingham is introducing Values-Exchange to all undergraduate healthcare students to explore self values and concepts of professionalism. Students from the university on placements within Nottinghamshire Healthcare are encouraged to debate for example, the issue of confidentiality within a case scenario. This can then be used as evidence of achievement of portfolio activity. Re-launch of the community of interest has been well received so far and can reach staff such as medical coders whom may often be overlooked.

Executive Director for local services, Simon Smith visited the re-launch of this Community of Interest event at Highbury Hospital Foyer. This online community of interest promotes safe online discussion to influence the education of future workforces and provides an opportunity to debate with colleagues and service users across our Trust all from the comfort of your armchair!

By doing this people can influence provision of services by raising issues via debate and everyone can join in with their thoughts and opinions. Topics so far include Waiting Times, a Facebook debate and Recovery. This Community of interest is a partnership between the Trust with our own learning & development team, Lead Nurse Forum & with input and feedback from service user’s and carers also influencing the topics debated.

Some of the comments from the event included:

A mental health services commissioner who dropped in could really see the benefits of gaining service user and career and staff opinion

Gladys Bombek, Trust Governor Member commented that the re-designed publicity material designed by an involvement volunteer was excellent and eye catching.

Dr Stuart Leask proposed that the Trust should identify fifteen minutes a week in staff contracts to devote to activity within the community of interest.

It's been great to see how enthusiastic people get about the Values Exchange when they see how easy it is to use! Ideas for more scenarios to debate are welcomed.

To register and join the debates go to: www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.values-exchange.co.uk/