Patients Association debates

phoenixoxo

Hi people,

Not sure whether this is the right place, so happy for mods to move if need be

I'm a member of the Patients Association and recently I received an email encouraging me to promote and raise awareness of the Association's Partners in Care debates, due to take place on Thursday 29 November 2012 in the House of Commons.

As per the Association's suggestion, I've contacted my MP to pass on details of the event and to recommend that he attend. Unfortunately his schedule does not permit this, though via his assistant he suggested we meet in London to discuss health issues. I explained that this wouldn't be possible, due to health issues.

However, other MPs may be available, so if you'd like yours to put in an appearance please PM me for the Association's 'Template for MP email' (edited for clarity). Additionally, the Association invites questions for panellists from members and their friends and families, so if your MP's a no-show you can get in touch nevertheless. During the next couple of weeks I'm hoping to research the key themes of the debates and send in a couple of queries, if I can find the time!

Further details at http://www.patients-association.com/Default.aspx?tabid=359

At the time of writing, speakers confirmed to attend are as follows:

 Dame Julie Mellor (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman)
 Jackie Smith (Chief Executive, Nursing & Midwifery Council)
 Professor Chris Drinkwater (President, NHS Alliance)
 NHSCB National Executive
 NICE National Executive
 Katherine Murphy (Chief Executive, Patients Association).

Thanks for reading!
Phoebe

stickywicket

phoenixe wrote:

via his assistant he suggested we meet in London to discuss health issues. I explained that this wouldn't be possible, due to health issues.

I like it. Well done on joining up, Phoenixe and, yes, I'll ask my MP. I shall PM you for the draft email.

hileena111

Hi
Well done. But what is the Patients Association? I am on our PPG....Patients Participation group...is it anything similar?. We havnt met for a couple of months an are due to meet in a couple of weeks time.

Love
Hileena

phoenixoxo

stickywicket wrote:

I like it. Well done on joining up, Phoenixe and, yes, I'll ask my MP. I shall PM you for the draft email.

Thanks, Sticky

I've just PM'd you, by the way

Best wishes,
Phoebe

phoenixoxo

hileena111 wrote:

Hi
Well done. But what is the Patients Association? I am on our PPG....Patients Participation group...is it anything similar?. We havnt met for a couple of months an are due to meet in a couple of weeks time.

Love
Hileena

Thanks, Hileena

I'm in a bit of a drug daze today, so here's a quote from their home page:

"The Patients Association is a healthcare charity which for nearly 50 years has advocated for better access to accurate and independent information for patients and the public; equal access to high quality health care for patients; and the right for patients to be involved in all aspects of decision making regarding their health care" (http://www.patients-association.org.uk/).

I hadn't heard of PPGs before; is this you? http://www.napp.org.uk/index.html

I'd be interested in how your next meeting goes!

Best wishes,
Phoebe

hileena111

Hi Phoebe
Yes thats us....most surgerys have one.....facilitated by a doctor but its input is from the patients that are on the committee.
Now i think about it I've had a few emails from patients association....thanks for the explanation.

Love
Hileena

phoenixoxo

My pleasure, Hileena

That's interesting, about the PPGs. I'll have to find out whether my surgery has a committee, I think.

Best wishes,
Phoebe

stickywicket

My practice has a PPG. I'm not on it as, apparently, they're top-heavy with people of my age geroup and desperate for some younger members. So, any of you out there under pensionable age.....

hileena111

Hi Sticky We are a bit top heavy as well in our age group....but can we get younger ones....can we heck!!!!!! They have to be patients of that particular surgery as well.
Young ones dont seem interested but a lot of what we do is targeted towards them. Alcohol awareness, drug awareness etc
Love
Hileena

PowerOn

phoenixe sounds like you are doing a great job.
re: "desperate for some younger members" have you tried going to local upper sixth schools, the pupils are usually keen to get active in "good works" which adds to their UCAS applications helping towards University points.
Maybe worth contacting the Careers department or local Headteachers if not already done.

hileena111

Hi
I think it was Sticky and I that said we were desperate for younger members. We have tried the high school etc. The other thing is they must be patients at that practice.....not another practice so we cant go to careers dept or anything like that.
Dont know about Phoebe's one.....its a PA...not a PPG....she seemed to be talking about contacting MP's
Love
Hileena

phoenixoxo

Hi everyone

Yes, SW and Hileena are discussing PPGs; at some stage I'll contact the practice manager of my surgery to find out whether they have one. Thanks for the mention

From the content of their website and emails it seems the Patients Association's main concern is hospital care, which is why an aunt suggested I might like to become a member. My three-week stay during February last year proved a bit traumatic, not least for leaving me with a permanently wonky leg, and I've come to feel passionately about improving conditions for patients. I just need to work out how to make myself useful! :?

Best wishes,
Phoebe

stickywicket

My MP has replied, phoenixe. I'll PM it to you.
(I nearly wrote 'My PM has replied. I'll MP it to you :? Too many initials.)

phoenixoxo

Much appreciated, SW; have just read and replied

Best wishes,
Phoebe