The Trust is committed to empowering individuals and communities so that they can play a greater role in shaping health and health services. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, our patients tells us that they want more influence over health services. Secondly, it is easier for professionals to provide a better service if they understand what their patients and communities need. This page provides information about patient and public involvement in the Trust.
A Healthier Future: Your Chance to Be Involved
The main way for patients and local people to get involved in the Trust is by becoming a member of the NHS Foundation Trust. More information is available from the NHSFT pages of the website.
Patient and Public Involvement in England
Local Involvement LINks (LINks)
Local Involvement Networks (LINks) aim to give citizens a stronger voice in how their health and social care services are delivered. Run by local individuals and groups and independently supported, the role of LINks is to find out what people want, monitor local services and to use their powers to them account.
The introductions of LINks is part of a wider process to help the community have a stronger local voice. Local Involvement Networks:
- ask what local people what they think about local healthcare services and provide a chance to suggest ideas to help improve services
- investigate specific issues of concern to the community
- use their powers to hold services to account and get results
- ask for information and get an answer in a specified amount of time
- are able to carry out spot-checks to see if services are working well (carried out under safeguards)
- make reports and recommendations and receive a response
- refer issues to the local 'Overview and Scrutiny Committee'
You can contact the LINks in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin as follows:
Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees
All top tier local authorities in England (e.g. Shropshire County Council, Telford and Wrekin Council) have a statutory role to scrutinise local health services. For example, they will scrutinise any proposals for substantial variation to ensure they are in the best interests of the health service locally. Information about local Health Overview and Scrutiny arrangements is available from the websites of Shropshire County Council and Telford and Wrekin Council.
Patient and Public Involvement in Wales
In Wales, Community Health Councils (CHCs) work to enhance and improve the quality of local health services. They are a statutory and independent voice in health services provided throughout Wales.
The CHC for most of our Welsh patients is Montgomeryshire CHC. CHCs for other parts of Wales can be found on the website of the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales.
Patient and Public Involvement within the Trust
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
As a patient, relative or carer sometimes you may need to turn to someone for on-the-spot help, advice and support.
PALS aims to:
- advise and support patients, their families and carers
- provide information on NHS services
- listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries
- help sort out problems quickly on your behalf
More information can be found in the Patient Advice and Liaison Service section of the website.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy teams on both sites are supported by volunteers who visit patients and assist them to attend services. More information is available in the Chaplaincy section of the website.
Hamar Centre
The Hamar Centre provides counselling and support services for patients and their families. More information can be found in the Hamar Centre section of the website.
Complaints
More information can be found in the Complaints section of the website.
Patient Involvement Surveys and Support / User Groups
Where patients have expressed particular interests or concerns, they are actively encouraged to join appropriate initiatives and the expert patient group. For further information on this, please contact the Patient Services team on 01743 261652 or PALs on 01743 261000 ext. 3672.
Volunteers
Volunteers at the Trust now number over 800. For information on how to become a volunteer at Shrewsbury or Telford, please contact PALs on 01743 261000 ext. 3672 or see the Volunteers section on the website for further advice.
The Overseas Visitors Officers determine eligibility to treatment for Overseas Visitors. There is one based at each site and detailed information can be found within the Overseas Visitors section of the website.