Recruiting user representatives
PPI forums Overview & Scrutiny LINks Voluntary Sector Training
Guidelines for MSLC's suggest that an MSLC ideally should have one third user representatives. It is important that these representatives are prepared and supported to enable the to contribute effectively. More details in the Guidelines document. Recruitment of user representatives can be thorough a number of means depending on the makeup of the local community. There are also statutory organisations that might assist in providing a user/public view to the Committee and whom should be involved and/or can support any consultation activity
PPI Forums (England only)
There is a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum for every NHS Trust and Primary Care Trust (PCT) in England. PPI Forums are made up of local volunteers who are enthusiastic about influencing and improving the way that local healthcare is delivered. The Forums exist to ensure local people have their say in decisions about local health services. They have statutory powers to ensure that health service providers listen to their views and members of PPI Forums are also provided with training and development opportunities to enable them to participate effectively. Locally, a Forum Support Organisation will be providing administrative and office backup, on behalf of the National Co-ordinating body, the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
Overview and Scrutiny Committees (England only)
Overview and Scrutiny is a formal cross-party function of English local government. NHS organisations can be held to account by local committees, comprising back-bench who review provision of local services fro value for money and responsiveness to the local community.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023048.htm
LINks (England only)
In 2008 (depending on legislation being passed) Local involvement networks (LINks) will replace PPI Forums and enable genuine involvement of a far greater number of people than is currently available, ensuring local communities have a stronger voice in the process of commissioning health and social care and enabling them to influence key decisions about the services they both use and pay for.
Local authorities will have a duty to make contractual arrangements for the involvement of people in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of health and social care services.
Further information click here
Voluntary Sector (UK wide)
A number of local and national voluntary sector organisations may be able to support recruitment and training of user representatives. Some of the main national bodies are listed below - many have local branches. Your local Council will also have lists of local organisations representing, for example, faith, cultural, locality or special interest groups such as disabled parents.
National Childbirth Trust www.nct.org.uk/local or tel 0208 7522327
Stillbirth and neonatal death charity www.uk-sands.org or tel 020 7436 7940
Disabled parents network www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk or tel 08702 410450
Miscarriage Association www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk or tel 01924 339207
Association for Improvement in Maternity Services www.aims.org.uk or tel 0870 7651453
Bliss the premature baby charity www.bliss.org.uk/ or tel 020 7378 1122
Twins and Multiple Births association www.tamba.org.uk or tel 0870 770 3305
La Leche breastfeeding support www.laleche.org.uk or tel 0845 456 1855
Breastfeeding Network www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk or tel 0870 900 8787
Training and preparation
It is important that new user representaitves are provided with proper support to enable them to contribute effectively. This should include provision of key documents and information, reimbursement of expenses and/or payment of an honorarium and funding/provision of appropriate training (see under "Guidelines and Standards" section for more on this)
The NCT in particular provides a comprehensive package of resources and support for user representatives - call the NCT Policy Research Department at the above number or click here.