We established a Patient and Public Panel to give members of the public a voice and the chance to have their views acted upon. The panel is made up of representatives from local communities, interest groups, the voluntary sector and partner organisations, and offers meaningful opportunities to influence improvements in our emergency, patient transport and 111 services.
Varying levels of participation enable people to get involved in a way that suits them best, depending on the amount of time and level of interest they have. It can even be done virtually!
There are three levels of panel participation:
Consult
What does it involve?
Responding to surveys, giving feedback on strategies, initiatives and publications and providing thoughts on events and campaigns on an occasional basis, often virtually.
Who is it for?
Those able to participate at a time to suit them and for short periods of time and those who are not able or keen to travel. May also suit people who can represent different patient perspectives when providing feedback, as well as those who have the ability to look beyond their own personal experience and who have open and enquiring minds to understand and accept different viewpoints.
Co-produce
What does it involve?
Contributing to meetings or discussion groups by providing opinions, experience and expectations to help inform improvements and review how services are planned and provided.
Who is it for?
Those able to participate for designated periods of time on a task and finish basis. May also suit people who have service user experience and a desire to help improve services with the ability to keep the patient perspective at the forefront.
Influence
What does it involve?
Taking an ongoing, active role in high-level meetings and committees usually held at headquarters in Bolton, to enhance decision making and discussions.
Who is it for?
Those able to participate in specific meetings on a regular basis to provide their ideas, suggestions and insight as a patient or member of the public on the business discussed by that meeting. Best suited to people who are able to commit time and have some experience in attending meetings or speaking in front of large groups of people and are willing to undertake relevant reading beforehand.
Members of the panel can increase their understanding of the service, or their level of participation, through visits, educational activities and access to expert speakers from the service. All participants receive regular information about North West Ambulance Service.
You can be a member of the panel if:
- You are aged 16 years or over.
- You are NOT a current employee of NWAS (but our volunteers are welcome).
- You live in Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester or Glossop (Derbyshire).
- You can empathise with and reflect a range of different perspectives when sharing opinions.
Applications are welcome from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and circumstances to ensure the panel is representative of the communities served by North West Ambulance Service.
“I facilitate a self-advocacy group working with a group of adults with learning disabilities to develop their skills and confidence to speak up. I know that they have a lot to share that will help bring a perspective to the panel that may be missing. It’s so important that we make sure that everyone’s voice is heard as services are developed.”
Pip Horne, Panel Member
Recruitment to the panel is undertaken through a two part process; an initial expression of interest, followed by a selection process. As part of an induction, those selected to the panel are provided with information about the service, either virtually or face to face, to enable them participate at the relevant level.
Ideally, panel members will commit their support to the service for one year, but they may withdraw their involvement at any time.
“I currently work for Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen, i joined the panel as I think it is really important that we hear first-hand the experiences of our service users so that we can improve how we deliver care and try and make processes easier and more cost effective.”
Louise Procter, Panel Member
If you would like any more information before applying to be a member of the panel then please contact our Patient Engagement team at patient.panel@nwas.nhs.uk.