Research Services

Pinpoint employ an array of qualitative and quantitative methodologies tailored to fulfil the requirements of individual projects.

EXAMPLE 1

Taking its impetus from the Department of Health initiative "Patient and Public Involvement in the new NHS," Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust wished to ascertain the views of service users and other stakeholders of the service delivered by the Trust. This involved

Identifying perceived key stakeholders ( general A&E and PTS users / ethnic minorities / the elderly / the disabled / carers)
Adopting relevant methodologies ( e.g. groups / depths / presentational workshops)
Using the qualitative findings both as stand alone and a basis for a series of quantitative studies (A&E /PTS / carers)

EXAMPLE 2.

Central Operations Mersey wished to establish the views and needs of service stakeholders, as a platform to creating a plan to enhance their service provision in line with stakeholder requirements.

The project consisted of 3 distinct phases. The first two were face to face depth interviews with PCTs and other key stakeholders. These were designed not only to stand as actionable research in their own right, but to inform, complement and illuminate the contents of the third, (quantitative) phase of the study, which added statistical rigour to the findings.

An "Away Day" was held with managers to present and discuss these findings and recommendations. The outline of a programme for future action was developed on the day.

EXAMPLE 3

The Isle of Man Government wished to evaluate their ambulance control centre and in particular how it stacked up against the DOH initiative "Taking Healthcare to the Patient." This study involved face to face and telephone depth interviews with a comprehensive array of key stakeholders on the island.

e.g. Emergency Planning Officers / Coastguard / GPs / Hospital Management / Fire / Police / Red Cross / Age Concern