Get Involved
What is a Patient Forum (PF)?
The PF is a group of patient volunteers and staff from the Practice. By working together the PF will look to make improvements to help patients and the practice.
The PF is patient led and has a :
- Patient Chairperson and Vice Chair
- Terms of Reference (what the group do)
- Code of Conduct (how to behave)
- Meeting every 3 months
The meeting minutes will on the Practice website.
What are our aims?
- to act as critical friends i.e. we offer opinions to the Practice in a helpful way.
- to gather patients views and ideas for making services better.
- to improve communication between the Practice, patients and the wider community.
- to comment on new health services.
- to promote self-help i.e. patients to improve their health and social care.
- to engage with the Integrated Care Board, (NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin) on new service designs.
- to work with other patient groups.
What we do not do:
- discuss patient members’ personal complaints
- take up too much of the practice time
- be led by the Practice
Hear from our members as to why you should get involved:
Kate says - Having been made aware of the disparity in health services available to patients, I joined the Patient group at my former medical practice.
I moved to Dawley Medical Practice last year and my first impression was very positive. Having a friendly receptionist who listened and helped me was great. I ticked the box to join the Patient Forum.
At meetings staff involve members in the development of plans. The patient group is actively encouraged to speak to patients at the Practice to gather feedback.
I would encourage other patients to find out more on how you can get involved and make a difference.
Neil and Diana say - We joined the Patients’ Forum as a way to offer support to the Practice. As long-standing members, we have been able to follow the incredible journey the Practice has travelled since 2011. We have had the opportunity to get to know Practice staff and always to feel that our input has been welcome. We have also had fun helping out at events such as vaccination days, by meeting patients and providing cakes!
(Neil & Diana C)
What you need to know about PF Meetings
- We meet for up to 2 hrs every 3 to 4 months.
- We meet at the practice
- We try to alternate times between:
a lunchtime (12.00pm – 2.00p-m),
evening (5.00pm to 7.00pm)
and a Saturday morning (09.30am to 11.30am).
You will need to
- Be able to attend meetings
- Be happy to help out with patient Surveys
- Help with fund raising events
- “Man” information and advice Stands at different times during the year.