Have Your Say - Patient and Public Involvement in Health Forums (PPI)

Patient and Public Involvement in Health Forums (PPI)

The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (PPI) is an independent statutory body, reporting to the Secretary of Health.

572 Forums for Patient and Public involvement in Health have been created in England (75 of these in London). Each Forum will have between 7 and 14 members who will reflect the structure of their local communities. Forum members are appointed by the Commission. Apart from out-of-pocket expenses they receive no remuneration.

Aims of the Forums

The main aim of the forum is to ensure that the public is involved in decision making about health and the provision of health services.

Forums look at a vast range of health issues and are aligned with Primary Care services (GPs, Dentists etc), Hospital Trusts and Mental Health services. Topics vary and members can be involved in a variety of ways depending on their interests and skills. Issues currently being discussed in our local forums include infection control and cleanliness in hospitals, transport and car parking, patient waiting times and how services will be impacted by the financial deficits in some Trusts.

The Forum's Duties

The Forum's duties include:

Gathering views from the local community about health services.
Forwarding public views to local decision makers.
Monitoring health services.
Monitoring the NHS on its duty to involve and consult the public.
Making recommendations about possible improvements.
Participation in planning and design of health services.
Directing patients and carers towards sources of advice and information.

As statutory bodies the Forums have legal powers, for instance the Forums can:

Enter and inspect premises that provide health services, such as premises owned by the NHS, as well as GPs, dental services, ophthalmic services and pharmacies.
Obtain information requested from NHS organisations within a set time limit.
Obtain replies to written recommendations within a set time limit.
Refer matters to the local Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Who support's the Forums

The Forums are supported by Forum Coordinators, local Forum Support Organizations (i.e. Age Concern Harrow) and Regional PPI Centres. They are funded by the Department of Health.

Forums work along NHS and other organisations that affect health, while maintaining their independence.

They develop their own method of working, to achieve their goals, for the benefit of their community's health, most effectively.

What you can do by joining the Forums

Working with other PPI Forum members, you will:

encourage others to get involved
find out what people really think about health locally and take action
independently watch over the quality of local healthcare
shape decisions which impact on our health
influence local and national decisions as part of a growing network for public involvement
be a force for fairness and change.

Further Information

Age Concern Harrow is the Support Organisation for the four local forums for Brent PCT, Harrow PCT, North West London Hospitals Trust and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust.

Interested in becoming a member?

You should be enthusiastic about helping to address local healthcare issues and influencing the way that healthcare services are organised and delivered, and have personal experience of using your local health services. The forums hold monthly meetings.

To become a member ring the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health on 0845 120 7111 for an application form or pick up an application pack from the Age Concern Harrow office in Wealdstone.

For further information email forumsupport.acharrow1@cppih.org.

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