The University of Sunderland Patient, Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) Programme, started 10 years ago and has grown to the point that there are now approximately 300 PCPIs. The PCPIs have diverse lived experiences as a patient, a carer or a member of the public to enhance health education. PCPIs come from a range of backgrounds reflecting the increased diversity of Sunderland, enabling students to benefit from working with a wide range of people with diverse experiences.

Being reflexive to the changing demographics of PCPIs meant considering their lived experiences and how this may translate to scenario-based activities. Working with one of the PCPIs, who was originally from Nigeria, we created a plan to bridge the gaps between knowledge and experience. This was specifically around the knowledge of how healthcare should work in the UK and peoples lived experience of healthcare outside the UK.

This workshop brought together a range of PCPIs, with different lived experiences, cultural heritages and ethnicities and through shared discussions allowed for the development of an appreciation of the impact of cultural background on perceptions of healthcare. As a result, more PCPIs have engaged in a wider range of sessions; there has been an increase in the cultural awareness and competency of PCPIs in the workshop group. The PCPI team are now expanding this training to all PCPIs to foster greater cultural competency to foster enhanced levels of cultural safety and enhance the learning experience for students.

The objective of this session would be to share best practice and to encourage attendees to consider their future practices including the consideration of culture and heritage in the design and delivery of sessions.