The Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, which provides health and social care services across Telford, has launched a new five-year strategy aimed at putting patients at the centre of how the organisation makes decisions. Known as the Co-Production, Lived Experience and Community Voice Strategy, the initiative was officially launched on 11 May 2026.
The strategy focuses on involving patients, service users, and their carers more directly in the planning and governance of health services. By using their personal experiences to help design care, the trust aims to improve the quality, safety, and personal feel of the support it provides to the 1.5 million people it serves.
The launch event in Stafford was attended by Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, alongside community groups and individuals with lived experience. Mel Ball, the Director for Lived Experience at the trust, stated that individuals who have used these services are experts, offering essential insight into what care feels like and what truly makes a difference. This approach aligns with national government goals, including the NHS 10 Year Plan published in July 2025, which prioritises this type of partnership between healthcare providers and the public.
This new strategy builds on the work of the trust, which has been an integrated provider of physical, mental health, and adult social care services since it was awarded University Trust status by Keele University in April 2023. With over 10,000 staff members, the trust intends to use this framework to create a culture of equity and respect across its operations.
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