Since January 2003 all NHS bodies have had a legal duty to involve and consult the public about the running of local health services. Patients are listened to and actions taken to meet their concerns.
There are many ways to get involved as a citizen to influence and improve health and social care services in your area. They include the following:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS is a key driver of public and patient involvement in the NHS. Officers from PALS are available in all hospitals. They offer confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters to patients, their families and their carers.
If you have a worry about your care or treatment, speak to a member of the PALS team and they will try to resolve the situation. If they are unable to help, they will explain the formal NHS complaints procedure to you and put you in touch with the right people to speak to.
To contact your local PALS:
- Phone your local clinic, GP surgery, health centre or hospital and ask for details of the PALS
- Phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
- Try the Office Directory on the PALS website
NHS foundation trusts
The most successful NHS trusts are being offered the opportunity to become foundation trusts. This will allow them greater autonomy from central government, and requires that local people, patients and staff have a say in their day-to-day management. There are currently 129 NHS foundation trusts in England.
The best way to influence your local NHS foundation trust is to become a member. All local people, patients and NHS staff are eligible to become members of an NHS foundation trust and take an active part in its management. Members are also able to elect a representative from among themselves to serve on the trust’s board of governors.
To learn more about becoming a member of a foundation trust see the Information guide for NHS foundation trust members.
Local Involvement Networks (LINks)
Local Involvement Networks (LINks) have been set up to help people influence the way that health and social care are planned and delivered.
Individuals and community groups work together in LINks to improve local health and social care services. Any member of the local community can join a LINk.
The networks undertake a range of activities, including consulting people about what they think of local health and social care services, and suggesting improvements to the people who plan, commission and deliver those services. They also make suggestions about specific concerns, such as the need for more community services, and can carry out visits to see for themselves how local health and social care services are performing, and what people's experiences are.
There are many benefits to becoming involved with a LINk. These include:
- Being able to promote neglected issues or ideas
- Being able to influence the people who make decisions about new or existing services
- Helping your local community to get their view represented
- Helping to provide a better standard of service
To find out what is happening in your area, contact your borough or county council. Ask for the department with responsibility for social services.
Alternatively, visit the LINks section on this site.
Other ways you can help
In addition to the options mentioned above, there are dozens of other ways to become involved in improving healthcare in your local community.
Look out for opportunities advertised by local hospitals and GP surgeries. Most charities, religious groups and care homes involved in healthcare also welcome voluntary workers. A few hours of your time each week can make a huge difference.
