Implementing a Co-Produced Women's Health Programme in an Integrated Care System

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Service Delivery
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Co-production is central to England's Women's Health Strategy, but system-level examples are scarce.
• This study addresses the need for practical applications of co-production in women's health programs.
• Integrated care systems require effective models for incorporating patient perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a co-produced women's health program within an integrated care system.
• To illustrate how community co-production can shape locally responsive women's health services.
• To provide a model for system-level co-production in women's health.

Main Methods:

• A service improvement approach utilized a multidisciplinary advisory group (over 160 members, including lived experience).
• Co-design methods were employed to identify local women's health priorities and guide program development.
• A survey of 1238 respondents identified service access and integration gaps.

Main Results:

• Five prioritized women's health service models were designed and implemented based on identified gaps.
• Each model included defined objectives and built-in evaluation for quality and sustainability.
• Community co-production successfully informed the design of locally responsive services.

Conclusions:

• Integrating lived experience with professional expertise fosters equitable women's health service development.
• System-level co-production aligns women's health programs with national strategies.
• Challenges included securing long-term funding and maintaining broad engagement.