Dr Foster Intelligence

A joint venture between the Department of Health and
Dr Foster Holdings LLP
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Research and consultation

Dr Foster has conducted primary research for more than 50 PCTs, as well as clients from the acute and independent health sectors.

Our professional social and market research team is drawn from public and private sector backgrounds. We design, manage and deliver research insight and public consultation, with a particular emphasis on reaching seldom heard communities.

Our expertise includes:

  • Quantitative surveys
  • Qualitative research
  • Deliberative research (citizens’ juries, workshops, focus groups)
  • Patient and public engagement
  • Customer satisfaction and patient experience
  • Population profiling and segmentation.

Patient and public engagement

There are plenty of examples within the NHS of engaging with people, but embedding this into organisations presents real challenges. At Dr Foster we help trusts to engage with their patients and the wider public, defining good practice and developing a two-way communication channel to listen and inform. This includes advising and supporting you on how to communicate back to your population.

More information

Some key questions:

  • How do you use patient and public engagement to inform commissioning decisions?
  • How do you establish this as a core ethos within your organisation?
  • How do you make it repeatable, in order to bring real changes and benefits?

Patient and public engagement is not just important due to the new statutory requirements; it is an opportunity to listen to the needs of local service users and then to respond by commissioning world class services in the most cost-effective manner. Engagement also supports patient choice, which is at the heart of NHS reform.

There are many direct and indirect benefits from getting patient and public engagement right. Here are just a few:

  • World Class Commissioning – commissioning what the public need
  • Establishing your organisation as a local leader of the NHS
  • Building trust and credibility
  • Cost-effective commissioning of services
  • Ultimately a patient and public-led NHS that improves health and lives.

In addition, one of Dr Foster’s management information tools, Patient Experience Tracker, provides real-time feedback on what your patients really think and feel about your services.

Case studies


For more information call us on 020 7332 8926 or email services@drfoster.co.uk

Dr Foster Limited, trading as Dr Foster Intelligence. Registered Company Number 3812015