Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Weak and strong publics: Drawing on Nancy Fraser to explore parental participation in neonatal networks

Gibson, Andy; Lewando-Hundt, Gillian; Blaxter, Loraine

Authors

Andy Gibson Andy.Gibson@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Patient and Public Involve

Gillian Lewando-Hundt

Loraine Blaxter



Abstract

Aims We draw on the work of Nancy Fraser, and in particular her concepts of weak and strong publics, to analyze the process of parental involvement in managed neonatal network boards. Background Public involvement has moved beyond the individual level to include greater involvement of both patients and the public in governance. However, there is relatively little literature that explores the nature and outcomes of long-term patient involvement initiatives or has attempted to theorize, particularly at the level of corporate decision making, the process of patient and public involvement. Methods A repeated survey of all neonatal network managers in England was carried out in 2006-07 to capture developments and changes in parental representation over this time period. This elicited information about the current status of parent representation on neonatal network boards. Four networks were also selected as case studies. This involved interviews with key members of each network board, interviews with parent representatives, observation of meetings and access to board minutes. Results Data collected show that a wide range of approaches to involving parents has been adopted. These range from decisions not to involve parents at this level to relatively well-developed systems designed to link parent representatives on network boards to parents in neonatal units. Conclusion Despite these variations, we suggest that parental participation within neonatal services remains an example of a weak public because the parent representatives had limited participation with little influence on decision making. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Citation

Gibson, A., Lewando-Hundt, G., & Blaxter, L. (2014). Weak and strong publics: Drawing on Nancy Fraser to explore parental participation in neonatal networks. Health Expectations, 17(1), 104-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00735.x

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 8, 2011
Publication Date Mar 1, 2014
Deposit Date Nov 30, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Health Expectations
Print ISSN 1369-6513
Electronic ISSN 1369-7625
Publisher Wiley Open Access
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 17
Issue 1
Pages 104-115
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00735.x
Keywords Fraser, health policy, managed clinical networks, neonatal care, patient and public involvement
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/968420
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00735.x