NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), in partnership with local community interest company UR Potential, launched its People’s Panel last year to give the public a direct say on the development of new services.
Every month, volunteers from across Fylde and Wyre meet at the CCG’s Wesham headquarters to hear about proposed new services and make comments and suggestions, which are then used in the development stages of new health services being rolled out in the area.
Following the end of the panel’s first full year, volunteers were given certificates for their efforts and given a special thank you from CCG chief nurse, Jennifer Aldridge, and Governing Body lay member for engagement, Kevin Toole.
Mrs Aldridge said: “We need our services to be right for our patients, so who better to ask than a group of our local patients themselves?
“There have been some real contributions to local health services by this dedicated group of people who come to us once a month in their own time and at their own cost.
“They really do deserve a big pat on the back and a thank you for their efforts and I will be delighted to see their continued support in future.”
UR Potential ran the pilot stage of the panel on the CCG’s behalf.
Director Linda Markey said: “The volunteers have succeeded in making an impact, which was the objective of the pilot scheme.
“It has been reassuring to see volunteers given the opportunity to have their say on local health services and for UR Potential to lead the way in that.
“Each of our volunteers has shown real dedication and it was rewarding for us to be able to present certificates in recognition of their hard work and commitment.”
The CCG is actively recruiting new members of its newly renamed Influence Panel.
To sign up, visit http://www.fyldeandwyreccg.nhs.uk/influence/ and fill in the form.
