PEOPLE URGED TO SPEAK OUT ON THEIR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES.
People attending the Patient and Client Council’s Coffee Connection event at Newcastle Visitor Information Centre on Central Promenade in Newcastle took part in a debate about future Health and Social Care services in Northern Ireland.
Attendees were asked three questions: how can the system help you, your family and friends live well in the community, what do they hope community care will look like in the future and how do we get more people involved in the conversation?
Nigel Warburton, Patient and Client Council Involvement Project Coordinator, said: “The response we’ve been getting at these events is that people see a role for education on how to stay healthy, but also have a healthcare system that is able to react when necessary, for example, in accessing primary care.
“We’ve also been getting a lot of interest in domiciliary care – care at home – and how that might look in the future.
“But in order for things to change within Health and Social Care there needs to be a lot more involvement from patients, carers and members of the public in helping to shape those services.
“People should be able to take an interest in the services they own and feel they are able to speak out and be heard by the policy and decision makers at the Department of Health.
“That’s why the Patient and Client Council are piloting a new three-hour course aimed at providing people with some practical resources to help them engage with other service users, healthcare professionals, policy and decision makers, and members of the public.
“We’ll also familiarise those who have not attended groups or committee meetings on how they are chaired and conducted, and give people an opportunity to rehearse introductions and the issues they wish to bring to the table.”
The course is free to attend and, while it is only open to people in the Patient and Client Council Membership Scheme, non-members are welcome to sign up.
The scheme is free to join and members will get regular updates on current projects, as well as opportunities to participate in workshops, consultations and committees.
For more information and to confirm attendance, call Membership Scheme Coordinator Matthew Weatherall on 028 9536 1698
or email: matthew.weatherall@hscni.net
