Monday, June 04, 2007
The patient's voice
At the last meeting of Waltham Forest Council's Health Scrutiny Committee, both Councillors Sheila Smith-Pryor and John Beanse [Lib Dem Councillors in Hale End & Highams Park] criticised Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust for what they see as its inadequate patient and public involvement in the workings and decisions of the Trust.
For instance, there has been no representative of the PPI* Forum present at all at Trust Board meetings and opportunities for the public to comment or ask questions are strictly limited to a question at the beginning of the meeting. No further involvement is possible after this for any visitor. The justification given, that "this is a meeting held in public, not a public meeting", does not seem constructive or show any serious desire to engage with the people or public representatives.
These points have been made to the Healthcare Commission and we must wait to see if this aspect of the PCT's work will come under their scrutiny as they have the task of assessing the delivery of our local Trust.
*[Patient and Public Involvement]
For instance, there has been no representative of the PPI* Forum present at all at Trust Board meetings and opportunities for the public to comment or ask questions are strictly limited to a question at the beginning of the meeting. No further involvement is possible after this for any visitor. The justification given, that "this is a meeting held in public, not a public meeting", does not seem constructive or show any serious desire to engage with the people or public representatives.
These points have been made to the Healthcare Commission and we must wait to see if this aspect of the PCT's work will come under their scrutiny as they have the task of assessing the delivery of our local Trust.
*[Patient and Public Involvement]
# posted by John Beanse @ 8:19 AM 
