83. Evidence submitted by Redcar and Cleveland
PPI Forum (PPI 4)
1. The Redcar and Cleveland Patient and
Public Involvement Forum met on Monday 8 January to discuss the
questions posed by the Health Committee New Inquiry—Public
and Patient Involvement in the NHS Terms of Reference. Their response
is as follows:
2. The purpose of patient and public involvement
is to monitor key aspects of NHS provision, opening all aspects
of services to the patient and publics. Public and Patient Involvement
should also act as a critical friend to the NHS.
3. Effective monitoring and meaningful patient
and public involvement of selected health matters offer the most
desirable, practical and best value for money.
4. The existing systems for patient and
public involvement is being reformed in order to ensure a wider
cross section of patient and publics views are listened to on
their journey throughout the NHS system.
5. LINks should be independent from the
NHS with wider involvement of other networks. When appointing
members to the LINks, there should be total involvement of the
current members. The funding should be ring fenced and LINks should
focus on all aspects of health and social care within Local Authority
boundaries. LINks should have the same statutory powers as PPI
Forum powers currently hold, ie the right to inspect and the right
to a response. The relations with local health Trusts should remain
as they are for PPI Forums—independent from but working
with the NHS—but involving all Trusts in the Local Authority
area rather than just dealing with one Trust as in the current
PPI Forum system. National co-ordination is essential to share
information and have any national issues addressed.
6. LINks should remain independent from
Local Authorities and OSC, and Foundation Trust Board and Members
Council, however work with these bodies, especially on specific
issues. LINks should work with inspectorates, including the Healthcare
Commission, similar to how PPI Forums currently work with such
bodies, ie take part in the Annual Health Check and receive Quality
Outcome Framework reports etc. LINks involvement in formal and
informal complaints should be minimal, signposting complaints
to the relevant authorities.
7. Wider public consultation should be carried
out under the circumstances as currently described under Section
11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, however to be mindful
of possible changes of legislation.
Redcar and Cleveland PPI Forum
8 January 2007
| 
