Engagement Plan Template - V4.1 2019 06 - Guidance for service change engagement

Sep 22, 2026

Engagement Plan Template V4.1 2019 06 provides guidance for Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) staff, GP practices, and patient groups on engaging the public, patients, and wider stakeholders when planning service changes. It covers scenarios such as starting, closing, or modifying services, including changes to opening hours and practice mergers. The template outlines overarching principles for early involvement, allowing sufficient planning time, making engagement accessible, clarifying what changes people can influence, and delivering “you said, we did” feedback. It also includes guidance sections for commissioners, practice managers, and patient groups, plus an engagement plan outline with project fields and background prompts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Engagement Plan Template

Overarching principles

Engagement plan outline

Project background and project details (Appendix A/B)

Engagement Plan Template V4.1 2019 06 This document provides guidance to Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) staff, GP practices and patient groups (The Patient Assurance Group at the CCG or Patient Participation Groups at GP practices) about how to engage members of the public, patients and wider stakeholders when making service changes. These changes might include; 􀁸 Starting a new service 􀁸 Closing a service 􀁸 Changing the way a service is provided 􀁸 Changing opening hours at a GP practice 􀁸 Merging with another practice Overarching principles When engaging with patients or the public you should consider the following principles: | Involve your Engagement team and/or PPG (Patient Participation Group) | 􀁸 If you are a commissioner or practice manager, speak to the engagement team at the earliest opportunity so that you can assess the scale and impact of the change.
􀁸 For changes at a GP practice, the PPG should be involved atthe earliest stage and before the proposal is shared with the CCG. The PPG should be kept informed and involved throughout the process. | | --- | --- | | Leave enough time | The length of time you need to plan, deliver and report on your engagement will depend on;
􀁸 the scale of the change
􀁸 the impact on members of the public/patients (especially those from‘seldom heard’ groups)
􀁸 other factors such as political interest. | | --- | --- | Consider levels of Be clear about what is changing and what people can actually influence influence. | | | | --- | --- | | Make the engagement accessible | 􀁸 You will need to demonstrate that you have made your | | | engagement accessible to people from different communities. | | | 􀁸 Provide information in alternative formats when requested | | | such as easyread. | | | 􀁸 Use different methods to engage such as drop-ins, paper | | | surveys, online surveys. | | | | | Feedback ‘you said, we did’ | Feeding back the findings of the engagement and demonstrating what difference people’s feedback has made is an essential part of the engagement process. You should write a brief report and outline ‘you said, we did’. | | --- | --- | You should also consider the gunning principles when planning your engagement: [http://www.nhsinvolvement.co.uk/connect-and-create/consultations/the-gunning-principles](http://www.nhsinvolvement.co.uk/connect-and-create/consultations/the-gunning-principles) Guidance for commissioners and practice managers – Appendix A Guidance for patient groups providing assurance – Appendix B Engagement Plan Template 2019 06 V4.1 page 1 Engagement Plan Outline your plans for engaging with the patients, the public and wider stakeholders about your service change. | Project Title:
The name of your project.
Make this really clear and concise. | Direct Payment Support Service re-procurement project. | | --- | --- | | Date:
The date you will share this with the PAG or PPG. | N/A | | --- | --- | | Project lead:
Name and contact details of person leading the project (commissioner or practice manager) . | Sue Kendal ([sue.kendal@nhs.net](sue.kendal@nhs.net))
􀁸 Strategic Development Manager
􀁸 Continuing Care (Leeds)
􀁸 NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group | | --- | --- | | Engagement Lead:
Name and contact details of person from the CCG engagement team overseeing the engagement (if applicable) . | Caroline Mackay ([caroline.mackay2@nhs.net](caroline.mackay2@nhs.net))
􀁸 Engagement Lead
􀁸 Communications & Engagement Team
􀁸 NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group | | --- | --- | | Communications Lead:
Name and contact details of person from the CCG communications team overseeing the engagement (if applicable) . | Penny Allison ([penny.allison@nhs.net](penny.allison@nhs.net))
􀁸 Communications Lead
􀁸 Communications & Engagement Team
􀁸 NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group | | --- | --- | | 1. Background | | --- | | Provide a background to your project. Keep this

FAQs

Who should use this Engagement Plan Template?

The template is for Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) staff, GP practices, and patient groups, including the Patient Assurance Group at the CCG or Patient Participation Groups at GP practices.

What kinds of service changes does the template cover?

It covers starting new services, closing services, changing how a service is provided, changing GP opening hours, and merging with another practice.

What overarching principles are emphasized for effective engagement?

It emphasizes involving the engagement team and/or PPG early, allowing enough time to plan and report, clarifying what is changing and what people can influence, and making engagement accessible across communities. It also stresses “you said, we did” feedback based on engagement findings.

Sep 22, 2026

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