Patients – and their carers and relatives – are being encouraged to get involved in helping to shape the hospital services they use.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has launched two patient and carer involvement banks – one for adults and one for children and young people.
The trust, which runs The James Cook University Hospital, Friarage Hospital and local community hospital wards, is urging anyone who has used its services in the past three years to join the new involvement banks and share their experiences and ideas to help continue to improve healthcare across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
There are already two opportunities to get involved with projects during September.
Three workshops are being held to hear patients’ views about mental health in hospital and help the trust develop a new mental health strategy:
- Thursday 21 September 2023 – The James Cook University Hospital, 4.30pm to 6.30pm (PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE!)
- Friday 22 September 2023 – Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, 1pm to 3pm
- Friday 29 September 2023 – Redcar Hospital – 10.30am to 12.30pm
Participants will receive a gift voucher and need to register in advance by contacting the trust’s patient involvement team.
The trust is also looking for volunteers who have used its hospitals in the past three years for an illness or injury caused by alcohol or drug misuse to take part in an awareness raising video which will be used as an educational and reflection tool for staff.
Jemma Zata, patient involvement facilitator said: “Patients, and their carers and relatives, should be involved in decisions about the services they use. They have the experience, knowledge and skills to bring about change that is effective and long-lasting.
If you have an interest in improving healthcare sign up to join one of our involvement banks today. There are lots of exciting projects to get involved with – your voice will make a difference!”
To find out more call 01642 854065, email [email protected] or visit southtees.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/get-involved/patient-involvement where you can sign up online.