Our proposal for the East Sussex Health Promotion Resources Service

Closed 17 Oct 2021

Opened 15 Sep 2021

Feedback updated 8 Jul 2022

We asked

We consulted between September and October 2021 with both registered and non-registered users of the East Sussex Health Promotion Resources Service on stopping the provision of hard copy health promotion resources. A total of 15 people took part in the consultation, with the majority having a mixed or negative view on the proposal. The main concerns centred on future access to only downloadable resources, and  we have been working since the consultation closed to explore the impact of our proposal in more detail through the completion of an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA). This was discussed at the Inclusion Advisory Group and shared with the Senior Management Team. They made the decision to go ahead with our plan, due to the resource implications of continuing to provide hard copy resources that are infrequently ordered and have limited use. 

What we were proposing

Before 1 April 2022, registered users of the East Sussex Health Promotion Resource Service (HPRS) have been able to order free hard copy health promotion resources across a range of subject areas for delivery.

Our proposal was that, from that date, we stop offering hard copy health promotion resources to registered users, and instead only offer resources in online access or download formats – with exceptions for hard copies of locally produced fuel poverty resources, as these continue to be ordered in large numbers. 

These proposals were based on:

  • changes in how society accesses information and resources since the HPRS was introduced in 2014;
  • increased use by health promotion professionals of signposting to online information, downloadable resources, and social media;
  • a consistent decrease, since 2018/19, in the number of registered users placing orders and the number of hard copy resources they have ordered; and
  • the ongoing challenge of hosting a hard copy health promotion catalogue whose resources are kept up-to-date as national guidance and evidence changes.

You said

A public consultation on the proposed changes was conducted in September 2021. Of the 15 responses received, most (12) were submitted by registered Health Promotion Access Catalogue (HPAC) users.

Although the number of respondents was small, it was clear that people’s preferences were varied. Asked how they typically shared health promotion information and resources with the people they worked with, the most common method selected by respondents was to ‘give or post them hard copy resources’. However, ‘signposting by email to online/downloadable resources’ was the respondents’ preferred method of sharing health promotion information with people.

Things were similarly mixed when people were asked about the proposal itself. Of 15 who answered, 3 were positive, 5 had mixed views, 6 viewed it negatively, and 1 was neutral. In addition, opinion was split evenly between those who felt their health promotion work would be affected either negatively by the proposal, and those who had mixed views or felt neutral.

Concerns from current service users centred on how easy it would be to share resources with clients or patients who may have limited or no digital access, including older people and those with disabilities. Positive comments reflected how some services had already changed the way they share health promotion information by not giving out hard copy leaflets, working in a much more ‘online-focused’ way. Should they need to, these services could download and print off downloadable material for specific individuals.

We did

The consultation findings were shared in December 2021 with the Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG). In doing so, it was noted that 12 HPAC users took part (out of a total of 225 individually registered who were invited). The IAG summary report also noted a consistent decrease in the number of registered users placing orders, and in the number of hard copy resources being ordered (other than for locally produced fuel poverty resources). Mitigating actions were included in relation to the potential impact on older people, those with a disability, those whose first language is not English, and those who may have limited or no digital access.  IAG did not raise any direct concerns and endorsed the proposal.

Following the IAG meeting a paper was presented to the Senior Management Team and the decision made to move ahead with the proposed service changes, including the mitigating actions   

Since 1 April 2022, ordering of hard copy resources has stopped for registered HPAC users., with the exception of locally produced fuel poverty resources, and a small selection of leaflets aimed at older people which are still available to order via the HPAC website.

The HPRS catalogue has been reviewed and appropriate validated downloadable resources have been added as alternatives to replace the removed hard copy resources. The catalogue will continue to list a collection of high quality, validated, health promotion resources in download or web access format to support health promotion work.

To address the concerns raised in the consultation, our Equality Impact Assessment recommended that we:

  • Encourage HPACT users to continue placing orders for hard copy health promotion resources up until 31 March 2022. Subject to availability, additional orders could be placed during this period.
  • Ensure HPAC catalogue listings will include (where available from validated sources) current, evidence-based resources suitable for people with disabilities, including British Sign Language, links to audio books, videos, podcasts, and easy read downloads. 
  • Provide descriptions of downloadable or web accessible resources on HPAC to indicate whether the information is available in other accessible formats or languages.
  • Retain a small selection of the top 3 resources listed and ordered from HPAC which particularly focus on topics/issues specific to older people. Monitor the orders (by organisation and volume) over a period of 3 months to determine the level of demand for these resources and whether there is a viable business case to continue their provision.

Overview

We want to hear from people working in health promotion about our proposal to stop offering hard copy resources through the East Sussex Health Promotion Resource Service

The consultation is open to people who are currently registered to use the service and those who are not. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

If you need the survey in another format or language please get in touch.

Why your views matter

The service offers free high quality resources  to anyone in East Sussex whose role includes health promotion. The resources are currently available online, printable and in hard copy. 

What would change?

Currently, registered users are able to order free hard copy health promotion resources across a range of subject areas for delivery. 

From 1 April 2022, we are proposing to: 

  • stop offering hard copy health promotion resources to registered users, and instead only offer resources in online access or download formats. 

We would make an exception for hard copies of locally produced fuel poverty resources, as these continue to be ordered in large numbers.  

Why are we proposing to make these changes? 

Since the service was introduced in 2014 the way that society accesses information and resources has changed considerably. Similarly the way that health promotion professionals work with people is changing; for example, signposting to online information and downloadable resources and the use of social media. 

Data monitoring since 2018/19 has shown that the number of registered users placing orders and the number of hard copy resources they have ordered has consistently decreased each year. Whilst COVID-19 will have affected people's use of the service we think that the shift away from hard copy resources will continue. 

A large number of these hard copy resources are produced, and also made available, by national organisations (sometimes at a cost). Therefore, one of the challenges of hosting a hard copy health promotion catalogue locally is ensuring that the resources are kept up-to-date as national guidance and evidence changes. Putting this time and effort into a resource that has increasingly limited use does not make sense. 

Moving to an online-only catalogue would save time and money, and ensure that people are signposted directly to national websites where users can be confident in accessing the most up-to-date and evidence-based information.

What happens next? 

What you tell us will help us to understand the impact of our proposal on health promotion work in East Sussex. We can then amend our proposal if needed before a final decision is made by the Public Health senior management team.  

Privacy information: This survey is anonymous and we don't ask you to provide any personal information. Please ensure that any comments you make don't include any names or personal details of you or anyone else. You can find more information about how the data will be stored and processed by East Sussex County Council on our website.

Areas

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Audiences

  • Community groups or organisations
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  • Staff
  • Providers of services

Interests

  • Health and wellbeing