How to get involved in our work

We’re keen to hear from, and involve, people from every part of Brighton and Hove when making decisions about local NHS services.

Over the years we have built up a variety of ways of engaging and involving local people. These include:

Join the Patient Participation Group (PPG) of your local surgery.

Capturing feedback through our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

Learning from complaints and using issues and trends to bring about change.

Working with community and voluntary groups. This includes funding some groups to provide services, encouraging groups to gather and submit feedback on local services, and discussing / consulting about proposed changes to services.

Running our HUB (Health User Bank). The HUB taps into the knowledge and interest of local people who want to be involved with the NHS by attending meetings, completing surveys, helping to run projects etc. If you would be interested in joining the HUB, phone Tanya Nayyar on 01273 574653 or email tanya.nayyar@bhcpct.nhs.uk

Reference groups for specific diseases where clinical staff, managers, patients and carers discuss how services could be changed and improved. There are currently groups dealing with gynecology, neurology, digestive diseases, dermatology, ophthalmology, ear nose and throat, low vision, vascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Supporting our diverse communities. We fund and/or work with a number of organisations which help us obtain and understand the opinions and concerns of communities that have traditionally faced a greater degree of exclusion. They include:

• The Carers Centre
• Black and Minority Ethnic Community Partnership
• Brighton and Hove Refugee Forum
• Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People
• Brighton and Hove Pensioner's Action

Do you want to be involved?

If you would like to be involved in our work please contact our patient and public engagement manager, Jane Lodge, by phone (01273 574649), email jane.lodge@bhcpct.nhs.uk or textphone (01273 545449).

Join your local Patient Participation Group (PPG)

All surgeries will have patient groups. Patients can contribute ideas, feedback and suggestions directly to their practice and help shape future decisions affecting local healthcare needs.

For more details, please contact your local surgery.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Brighton and Hove City Council reviews issues relating to local health services through its Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Details of these meetings are available on the council's website.

LINk

You can also join the LINk, or Local Involvement Network.

This independent network of local people and organisations gives Brighton and Hove residents and groups a stronger voice on health and social care issues.

It’s open to anyone who lives in Brighton & Hove or uses health and social care services in the area (although some restrictions apply to employees of statutory organisations which provide health and social care services).

You can find further information and the application form on the website

Alternatively you can email info@bhlink.org or phone 01273 810 235.