The BMA has for a long time worked to embed patient perspectives directly in its decision-making processes. For over 20 years, this has been in no small part thanks to the PLG (patient liaison group). Established in 2004 the PLG is composed of independent patient and carer representatives – they are not BMA members, but rather have lived experience of accessing healthcare. This unique structure brings an authentic and impartial voice, putting the patient right at the heart of the BMA’s decisions.

The PLG’s influence is extensive. Our members sit on various BMA committees, where we share our lived experience. This active participation, which ensures that patient interests and concerns are central to the BMA’s agenda, is an example of co-production.

I have been a member of the PLG since 2020. Part of my reason for joining was to express my frustration that doctors and policy makers weren’t taking younger people such as myself seriously when it came to our COVID risk. Since then, I have shared my personal and professional experience to co-produce symposiums and policy documents including on AI, vaping and the 10-Year Health Plan.

What is co-production and why does it matter?

Co-production is a method of working that’s grounded in equitable partnerships with people from all backgrounds – where everyone’s role, knowledge and experiences are valued equally, whether that be professional experience, lived experience, or anything else. It’s vital that one type of experience isn’t placed above another. All experience is important to co-production whether it’s for policy, training or something else.

Research consistently shows that engaging patients in co-production is crucial for creating more effective healthcare systems. Policies that exclude the lived experiences of patients – particularly those from historically marginalised communities – often lack validity, can compromise safety and have less relevance for the population as a whole. When we hear from patients with different backgrounds, it helps us recognise that healthcare inequalities are complex, and that intersectionality is an important framework for policy-making.

Being involved in patient voice groups as I grew up gave me the confidence to speak up when I thought something wasn’t right with my healthcare. This was particularly important when I transitioned to adult healthcare services.  

Where has there been co-production between the PLG and BMA?

Our recent contributions include the BMA’s responses to:

– The NHS 10-Year Plan, where PLG members raised critical concerns about the plan’s over-reliance on AI and digitisation without addressing issues of digital literacy and digital poverty across the country. We also highlighted a gap in the plan's focus on chronic and long-term health conditions without any acknowledgement that not all health conditions can be prevented. This plan is going to shape the NHS for the next 10 years and beyond. As a patient who will be using the NHS, being able to share my opinion of the plan was empowering. Do I know about NHS finances? No. Do I know a lot about doctors’ training schedules? No. However, I do know about how digital access will improve some aspects of my care and that constantly focusing on prevention, when most of my conditions could not have been prevented, makes me feel pretty rubbish and like it’s my fault

– The Government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. We highlighted how changes to these benefits would threaten the health and independence of many disabled and chronically ill people across the country

– obesity and weight management policies

– physician-assisted dying legislation

– the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

– the PLG also helped inform communications on industrial action, to ensure patient safety always remains a priority. 

By adding our perspective to these crucial conversations, we provide an insight that benefits BMA members at all levels, from elected officials to grassroots doctors, leading to more comprehensive and effective policy.

What’s next?

Co-production is not a one-off activity; it’s a process that involves collaboration and respect between everyone involved. The BMA has taken important steps to show the value of lived experience, embedding the PLG’s feedback in far-reaching policies and consultation responses.

However, this must go further across the NHS and government; patient experience must be listened to and included at every stage. Doctors, organisations and policy makers must listen to what patients – and particularly patients who have been let down by the healthcare system due to their marginalised identities – have to say.

Without this, patients will continue to not have their needs met and not feel seen in policy decisions. I have had the privilege to co-produce policy documents with BMA staff, doctor members and leadership for the past five years and I hope to do it even more successfully for the next five. 

Emma Beeden is a queer, disabled and chronically ill woman. She is a co-chair of the patient liaison group