Gathering views
We gather, on behalf of the Scottish Government and Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the views of people using health and care services, members of the public, carers and community groups on a variety of health-related topics.
Our reports summarise how we went about this and what we found. We use people's experiences and views to identify recommendations for policy makers, and follow up with them later to find out how people's views had an influence.
Through our network of staff throughout Scotland we are able to collate comments and experiences from across the country in order to give a national perspective. Our staff use a range of methods - including focus groups, interviews, questionnaires and events - to gather people's experiences and opinions. We regularly work with local third sector organisations and community groups to reach people from particular communities, especially those who are often excluded from consultations.
If you would like to be part of a local gathering views exercise, please tell us about your interests and how we can contact you.
Palliative care
The Scottish Government asked us to find out about people's views on palliative care.
Find out moreChronic pain
The Scottish Government asked us to gather information about people's views and insights on living with chronic pain
Find out moreWaiting Times Guidance
The Scottish Government asked us to gather information to support a review of the NHS Scotland Waiting Times Guidance.
Find out moreImplanted medical devices
The Scottish Government asked us to find out about patients' experiences of receiving an implanted medical device, sometimes known as an implant
Find out moreNational Care Service charter
The Scottish Government asked us to find out about people's views on a draft Charter of Rights and Responsibilites for the new National Care Service
Find out morePrinciples for access to General Practices
The Scottish Government asked us to gather information on draft principles for access to General Practices
Find out morePeople living with ME
The Scottish Government asked us to find out how people living with ME experience health and social care, and what support they would like to see in place.
Find out moreRedesign of urgent care
The Scottish Government asked us to gather information about people's views and insights on the newly designed urgent care service in Scotland.
Find out moreOrgan and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
The Scottish Government asked us to gather views on a proposed 'opt out' system for organ donation in Scotland.
Find out moreRealistic Medicine
The Chief Medical Officer asked us to gather views from patients and members of the public on what Realistic Medicine means to them.
Find out moreCommunity Audiology Services
The Scottish Government asked us to gather views from service users and people with lived experience of hearing loss in Scotland who currently use NHS audiology services.
Find out moreGeneral Standards for Neurological Care and Support
Healthcare Improvement Scotland asked us to gather the lived experiences of people with a neurological condition to help inform new standards for neurological care and support.
Find out moreCosmetic interventions
The Scottish Government asked us to gather views from the public on what type of cosmetic interventions should be provided by the NHS in Scotland.
Find out moreTransplant services
NHS National Services Scotland asked us to gather views from patients who had received a transplant
Find out morePrimary care out-of-hours services
The Scottish Government asked us to gather views from across Scotland about primary care out-of-hours services.
Find out moreRegister of interests for Scotland
The Scottish Government asked us to obtain views from the public on the potential introduction of a Register of Interests for Scotland.
Find out moreMaternity and neonatal services
The Scottish Government asked us to develop and deliver a programme of public engagement across all NHS board areas.
Find out moreCommunity pharmacy services
The Scottish Government asked us to gather patients' views on community pharmacy services
Find out moreProvision of medicines for the NHS in Scotland
The Scottish Medicines Consortium asked us to engage with members of the public about its work and public attitudes to the provision of medicines in the NHS in Scotland
Find out moreNew arrangements for death certification
Healthcare Improvement Scotland asked us to gather views on the new arrangements for death certification in Scotland from members of the public and faith groups.
Find out moreScottish Ambulance Service Strategy Refresh
The Scottish Ambulance Service asked us to gather views from the public on new protocols which would allow ambulance staff to assess, treat or refer patients.
Find out moreEngagement in maternity services
The Scottish Government asked us to gather information about the existence, role and support for Maternity Services Liaison Committees across NHS Scotland.
Find out moreShared decision-making and the use of 'question prompts'
The Scottish Government asked us to hold discussion groups and interviews with members of the public to find out if 'question prompts' would help people become more involved in medical consultations.
Find out moreFuture of Oral Health in Scotland
The Scottish Government asked us to help with a consultation exercise on the future of Oral Health services.
Find out more