(2) how many requests Lord Darzi has received to meet members of the National Association of Patients’ Forums; and how many times Lord Darzi has met members of the National Association of Patients’ Forums in the course of his reviews of the NHS to hear their views on delivering effective patient and public involvement.
The national health service “Our NHS, our future” next stage review is primarily a local process. Eight clinical pathway groups in each strategic health authority (SHA) region outside London are currently considering how to improve models of care across eight pathways from maternity and newborn care to end of life care. Local events are being held to ensure that the views and experiences of the public and patients inform the thinking of each clinical working group.
A second nationwide day of consultative events was held on 24 January 2008 to test the emerging findings of the clinical pathway groups with around 1,000 staff, patients and members of the public across the regions. The findings from the consultation events will contribute to each SHA’s vision for healthcare due to be published in the spring.
An online questionnaire has also been launched to capture the views of patients and the public. This is available on the review’s website at:
www.nhs.uk/ournhs
NHS London SHA undertook a similar process of engagement during the development of the “Healthcare for London: A Framework for Action” report. This included a telephone poll of 7,000 people, two deliberative events in February and March 2007 attended by over 100 people on each date and two feedback meetings in May and June 2007 attended by more than 60 people on each date.
Following the publication of the report, NHS London has convened a Patient and Public Advisory Group to contribute to the consultation, received over 12,000 visitors to their website, commenced a programme of 40 roadshows and met with stakeholder groups including patient and public involvement forums.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Darzi of Denham) has received three representations from the National Association of Patient Forums on engaging with the NHS Next Stage Review. Since July, Lord Darzi has visited and spoken to large numbers of stakeholders, including patient groups, and members of the public about the review. Thousands of people have already contributed their views at consultative events, via letter, email and other online channels. Representatives of patient groups also attended an International Clinical Summit in November 2007 to share ideas of leading edge care from the United Kingdom and around the world.