Putting People at the Centre of Guidelines

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is central: SIGN guidelines are shaped by people with lived experience, improving quality and relevance.The article uses the SIGN Dementia guideline as a case study: Carers and third sector organisations helped ensure person-centred care and influenced the inclusion of topics like anticipatory grief.Inclusive engagement methods: SIGN used virtual meetings, presentations, and peer review to gather feedback from people with dementia and carers throughout development.Challenges addressed: The team managed power dynamics and communication barriers, ensuring all voices were heard and valued.Real impact: Lived experience led to changes in recommendations, such as adding sections on grief and regular care plan reviews.Conclusion: Inclusive PPI results in more practical, trusted, and relevant guidelines for all stakeholders.