Volunteers are wanted for patient NHS panel (From Ilkley Gazette)

Volunteers are wanted for patient NHS panel

9:00am Saturday 19th May 2012 in Local news

Volunteers from Ilkley and Wharfedale are wanted by Airedale Hospital for a new patient and carer panel.

The panel will work alongside hospital doctors, nurses and other staff, giving patients’ and carers’ thoughts and views, to help the hospital understand how its work is seen from a patient or carer perspective.

Volunteers will become involved in a whole range of projects and activities.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s patient experience head, Karen Dunwoodie, said: “We have an active patient and carer panel and we are looking for more people to join them.

“In the past, panel members have helped by being a ‘fly on the wall’ to see how patients and staff communicate with each other. They have worked with staff to re-word letters to make them easier to understand and they have also obtained public opinion about using symbols to identify patients who need special care.”

If you are interested in joining the panel and have had experience in the last two years of the hospital’s service as a patient, carer or friend of a patient, or as a visitor, contact Karen Dunwoodie for further information or an application form. Call (01535) 294027, or email karen.

dunwoodie@anhst.nhs.uk.