The panel at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) is one of the ways those using the county’s hospitals in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln and Louth can be involved in developments.
The Patient Panel is made up of volunteers, supported by Trust staff members, who are encouraged to review, comment on and challenge different projects and ideas.
Jennie Negus, Head of Patient Experience at ULHT, said: “To deliver the best possible care we need to ensure that our patient voice is clearly represented in our discussions to develop and improve services. We’re looking for more people over the age of 18, from different backgrounds and experiences, to join us and share their views through our Patient Panel.
“We’re really proud of the contributions our panel has made to the Trust since it was created in September 2020 and this was also recognised in the Patient Experience Network National Awards 2022, where we were a runner-up in the ‘Engaging and Championing the Public’ category.
“The topics panel members become involved in are wide ranging. Previously this has included projects such as improving Outpatient letters, redesigning our Emergency Departments, and introducing new technology. The panel’s views were also valuable in considering visiting restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Panel meetings are held virtually every month, lasting approximately two-and-a-half hours via Microsoft Teams.
Anyone joining the Patient Panel is asked to sign up as an Honorary Volunteer to enable the Trust to support training needs, carry out pre-volunteer recruitment checks and to provide any expenses reimbursements for when and if members meet in person for any reason.
For more information about the Patient Panel, please visit the ULHT website or contact the Patient Experience team via [email protected].