Help improve patient safety – be a voice for patients and carers
A local mental health, learning disability and autism NHS provider is recruiting six new patient safety partners to help improve patient safety and represent the voices and experiences of patients, families, and carers across its services in Greater Manchester.
The new roles at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust are open to anyone in the community, including patients, carers, family members and those with an interest and commitment to make care safer for patients.
Julie Halliwell, a current patient safety partner at Pennine Care NHS, explains: “It’s a very rewarding role and an opportunity to use my family’s personal experiences to improve patient care; ensuring the voice of patients and carers are represented, considered and heard.
“Every week I attend a quality and safety panel in Stockport which looks at patient safety incidents, understanding what has happened and how we can improve and learn. It’s my role to ask questions, ensure the patient, family and carer views are understood and considered; and provide a different perspective.”
As well as attending weekly safety panels, patient safety partners may also be involved in improvement projects, as well as other workshops and forums to represent the patient and carer voice.
Julie adds: “It’s been a very positive experience for me. The support I have received has been excellent and my opinions, ideas and thoughts have always been welcomed and made a positive contribution to changes in patient care.”
The roles will be based in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport or Tameside and Glossop, are very flexible and involve up to 16 hours per month. Initially for 12 months but can be extended, partners will receive £10 per hour and travel expenses.
Tim McDougall, director of quality, nursing and healthcare professions at Pennine Care NHS, said: “We are looking for members of our community to work with us, be our critical friend and represent the views of our patients, their loved ones and our wider community.
“Your openness and honesty as one of our patient safety partners means we can understand more about the needs of our patients and make meaningful changes to improve the care that we offer.”
For more information about these roles and to apply visit www.penninecare.nhs.uk/involvement and to apply email [email protected]