ABOUT FPOD
Our mission
Helping overlooked patients be heard.
Improving recognition, understanding and care for people whose symptoms or conditions are overlooked, poorly understood or difficult to diagnose.
Why we exist
Symptoms without clear answers
Repeated tests and referrals
Healthcare can achieve extraordinary things. Yet people with persistent, complex or poorly understood symptoms can still struggle to find answers and appropriate care.
FPOD exists to help change that.
Care across different specialties
Feeling unheard or unsure where to turn
Every person’s situation is different. We encourage curiosity, careful investigation, collaboration and respect when answers are not yet clear.
Different expertise. One shared purpose.
An international community advocating for people overlooked in healthcare.
People with lived experience
Public health experts
Healthcare professionals
Advocates & communicators
Scientists & researchers
Ethics & spiritual care
Six connected ways we work towards better recognition and care.
Our mission in practice
Champion overlooked conditions
Help people gain recognition and support.
Create practical resources
Make complex health journeys easier to navigate.
Connect people with support
Point people towards trusted organisations and services.
Support research
Build evidence around symptoms, uncertainty and patient experience.
Share knowledge
Bring learning to patients, professionals and wider audiences.
Advocate for change
Use evidence and lived experience to encourage better pathways.
The principles that guide us
A holistic approach, informed by evidence and lived experience.
Curiosity, collaboration and respect.
Work together
Cross boundaries and share expertise.
Listen to patients
Hear, respect and involve people.
Stay curious
Ask questions and explore explanations.
Follow the evidence
Be open about knowledge and uncertainty.
Build on existing work
Collaborate and avoid duplication.