NHS & Public Health Stakeholder Research

Ipsos MORI works closely with management teams on understanding organisational reputation across diverse groups of stakeholders. Our work in this area for the Department of Health, Cabinet Office, Healthcare Commission, NHS Confederation and others means we are well placed to deliver high quality, accurate insights to help build clear strategies for senior managers.

Below are some examples of our work in this area:

Healthcare Commission Stakeholder Research (2005) The Healthcare Commission asked MORI to help it measure how well its stakeholders know it and understand what it is doing. The Healthcare Commission has a very wide range of responsibilities, and so has a similarly wide range of stakeholders. MORI used a mix of methodologies from our Telephone Omnibus service with the general public, to telephone interviews with clinician and managerial stakeholders, to face to face and telephone depth interviews with key opinion leaders. The study addressed a wide range of subjects, most notably the level of advocacy its stakeholders feel towards the Healthcare Commission. MORI was able to place this advocacy into a wider context by comparisons to major Government Departments and other Regulatory Bodies. The Healthcare Commission has been able to use the findings to inform its planning for external relations and consultation programmes in 2006, as well as to help build awareness among staff of how it is perceived by its audiences.

Department of Health Stakeholder Perceptions Audit (2005) MORI undertook a programme of work aimed at providing an overall impression of the Department, assess its performance in managing relationships with stakeholders and identify barriers to effective partnership working. In order to undertake this project, both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed, including in-depth interviews, a telephone survey of stakeholders, an internal survey within DH and DH staff focus groups. The stakeholders contacted covered a wide range of sectors and organisations, such as Government Departments, Voluntary and Community sectors, Local Government, Arms Length Bodies, Professional Bodies, the NHS and the commercial sector. Our final report included a list of specific, direct suggestions as to the way forward for the future, including specific advice for interacting with specific stakeholder groups.

NHS Confederation Stakeholder Perceptions Audit Revisited (2005) Ipsos MORI conducted 60 depth interviews among key opinion leaders on behalf of the Confederation. Respondents range from ministers to special advisers, from politicians to civil servants, from Foundation Trust Chief Executives to senior members of Monitor.

Drug Action Team (DAT) Stakeholder Survey (2004) We have recently conducted a telephone survey of Director level DAT Board Members in PCTs/LHBs, Local Authorities and Police Services as part of an Audit Commission review of local level drug action work nationally.

Cabinet Office, Office for Public Services Reform Tracking Study (2002-2004) OPSR has commissioned MORI to carry out an extensive research exercise tracking views of public service reform among 3,000 senior public service managers (Head-teachers, Chief Constables, Chief Executives of NHS Trusts and local authorities). It is administered using email push technology, and providing the option of a postal questionnaire. MORI also carried out qualitative research through depth interviews on these issues prior to the study, to help inform questionnaire development.

Audit Commission (1998-2004) We have conducted a wide range of consultation work for the Commission among a wide range of stakeholders. This includes, for example, focus groups and depth interviews with Chief Executives, Leaders and Senior Officers, work with general public, examining BVPPs, BVPIs, CPA, attitudes towards inspection, audit etc.

Stakeholder Perceptions Audit of the Commission for Health Improvement (2003) A national survey of stakeholders and the general public about the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) and the new health inspectorate, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection.

Membership research for the Royal College of Nursing (2003). Qualitative focus groups and a quantitative survey were conducted to identify the core membership services/products by their importance and extent of usage; and to examine the reasons for importance and usage. In addition, the research explored the level of membership engagement with RCN business, and the profile of members engaged and measured membership opinion and satisfaction with current services and the business of the RCN. The findings were used to assist the RCN's ongoing review of communications, membership engagement and service rationalisation. Last year, we also carried out a telephone survey of student members looking at their experience of clinical placements, access to benefits and the level of support they receive and in 2002 we conducted a postal membership survey looking at the views of internationally recruited nurses.

Stakeholders' Perceptions of RDAs (2003) national pilot survey of stakeholders with an interest in the work of Regional Development Agencies. This large-scale study involves web-based and telephone interviews with stakeholders in each of the nine English regions to assess the performance of the RDAs.

The NHS Confederation stakeholder and membership research (2002) Qualitative research amongst key stakeholders and a qualitative postal survey amongst the membership. The qualitative research consisted of 56 depth interviews by telephone and face-to-face interviews with stakeholders to find out what they think about the Confederation's reputation and the perceived extent of its influence. The postal survey among 1,102 members examined satisfaction and future priorities.

NHS Confederation (2002) MORI conducted the NHS Confederation's 2002 membership survey. This involved a postal survey of approximately 3,500 health service managers throughout the UK. The findings will help the Confederation develop its strategic objectives for the coming year.

NHSU Consultation (2002 -2004) MORI co-ordinated and reported on all the consultation connected with the launch of the new NHS University (NHSU). This was a large project involving a variety of consultation and research techniques aimed at gathering the views of a cross-section of people working in, for or with the NHS. This included Chief Executives and other managers in PCTs, SHAs and other health and social care organisations at national local level, as well as front line staff including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and ancillary staff. Our report and recommendations fed into NHSU's first Strategic Plan. Following this, MORI and MORI Market Dynamics conducted telephone surveys among front line staff and modelling work to explore training needs in more detail and to estimate demand for NHSU's initial learning programmes.