8. Evidence submitted by Barnet and Chase
Farm Hospitals NHS Trust PPI Forum (PPI 13)
What is the purpose of patient and public involvement?
PPI Forums have statutory powers which allow
them to provide a valuable independent perspective on services
provided by the Trust. This should continue in any new arrangements.
What form of patient and public involvement is
desirable, practical and offers good value for money?
Why are existing systems for patient and public
involvement being reformed after only three years?
To allow one Forum to monitor all the health
services provided to a community in place of separate Forums being
concerned with hospitals, primary care services, ambulances, special
needs and so on.
How should LINks be designed, including:
Remit and level of independence
To look after the needs of patients and the
public by monitoring services independently.
Membership and appointments/Funding and support
In our view LINks should be composed of an amalgamation
of existing PPI Forums to which are added people concerned with
health and social care services and cultures not currently represented.
The Forums could, at least initially, form sub-committees of the
main body and continue their close association with their Trusts.
We believe that the Strategic Health Authority
which is responsible for the health services in a community would
be the appropriate body to appoint members and to fund LINks.
Areas of focus
The welfare of patients and the public, including
those with special needs.
Statutory powers
To inspect all premises providing NHS care (including
private hospitals with Trust contracts) and to submit reports
to the appropriate Trust. The Trust must respond to recommendations
wthin a specified time as under the present system.
Relations with local health Trusts
To expect full co-operation in respect of investigations,
action on recommendations and to invite patient and public representatives
to sit on their Committees as appropriate.
National coordination
There needs to be at least a regional, if not
a national co-ordinating body. We believe that Strategic Health
Authorities should be involved at regional level.
How should LINks relate to and avoid overlap with:
Local Authority structures including Overview and
Scrutiny Committee
Submit reports to and receive reports from the
OSC. Patient and public representatives should be invited to sit
on the Committees.
Foundation Trust boards and Members Councils
Inspectorates including the Healthcare Commission
To receive its reports and act on deficiencies
highlighted.
Formal and informal complaints procedures
To receive regular reports from PALS, ICAS and
any others to indicate deficiencies which need to be investigated.
In what circumstances should wider public consultation
(including under Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act
2001) be carried out and what form should this take?
We believe that the SHA is the appropriate body
to instigate wider consultation, perhaps advised by Patient and
Public Involvement bodies
Alex Nunes
Chair
Dr Michael Essex-Lopresti
Secretary
Barnet and Chase Farm PPI Forum
15 December 2006
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