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VOICES FOR CHOICES
Editorial - Claire Brown
Voicing choices
One day in Birmingham – and we were all ears.
There’s a lot in this issue and it’s been hard work to put together – but that’s an accurate reflection of our DDN/Alliance service user involvement conference in Birmingham. The hard work at the event extended to the delegates, who contributed their views and participated willingly – in the conference hall, during their breaks when they answered questions from our superb band of volunteers, and through going to the video room to give their views on camera.
We’ve pored over the results of this research since coming away from the event. We realised from the outset that we were not looking to collect scientific data, but capturing a snapshot of service user experience. What struck me most was the conviction of the commentators – there’s not much sitting on the fence, but a clear view of what worked or didn’t work, and why.
What also stood out was the difference a worker’s personality and commitment can make to the treatment experience and its chances of success. We’re so used to hearing how the system fails through lack of investment and public prejudice, but success or failure in so many cases depends on a clued-up keyworker who respects the person’s preferences and circumstances, listens to them, and opens up a new world of realistic and viable choices. As with anything in life, if the subject is fully involved in making that choice there is a much greater chance of it leading to the desired goal, so it was surprising to come across many other examples of decisions being enforced on service users, particularly where prescribing is concerned.
The other major concern was the level of ignorance exposed, particularly on the effects of polydrug use, the signs of alcohol dependency, and detecting mental health problems. By talking and listening we can at least try to get to the root of what’s not working – so lets take debate way beyond one day in Birmingham.
Magazine Features
Voices for Choices"
News and views from the second national service user involvement conference in Birmingham. Using results of a consultation at the event, DDN looks at whether service users had been offered choices about treatment - and whether those choices had worked well for them
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Views from all sides"
Paul Hayes of the NTA talks of responsibility; Andy Stonard accuses the drugs field of setting up people to fail. Caroline Thompson, Mick Webb, Christina Lora, Sharyn Smiles and Lisa Mallen give templates for service user success
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Welfare to work?"
Delegates were asked what impact they thought the proposed welfare reform bill might have on them. DDN reports
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Talking therapies... and at your service"
Panel discussion with Andy Stonard, Hugo Luck, Dr Chris Ford and Erin O'Mara. Marcus Wilson explains how the service user group exhibition was a major focal point of the event
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Video views"
Service users talk about their experiences of treatment
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Online Features
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