The next in OPM’s public interest seminar series will focus on the issues around engaging patients and the public in healthcare services in the future, especially in the context of the changes facing local areas as the ‘Big Society’ agenda is implemented.
The seminar will be run in partnership with Involve, a not for profit organization specialising in public participation, and will focus on the future of patient and public engagement in health: how will this work, in the face of health service reforms, rising patient and public expectations, new providers and wider policy initiatives such as the Big Society? Does the planned introduction of HealthWatch present a genuine opportunity, or will this simply be ‘more of the same’? What lessons can we draw from the mixed success of local involvement networks? The seminar will draw upon the experiences of a range of organisations including local authorities, health bodies from the private and voluntary sector and patient groups.
The seminar will be held on Monday 11th October, in the evening (6pm for a 6:30 start, finished by 7.45), at our offices at 252b Gray’s Inn Road, WC1X 8XG, a ten minute walk from King’s Cross. The seminar is free of charge, but places are strictly limited so please do let us know as soon as possible if you would like to attend by emailing kgreen@opm.co.uk.
Confirmed speakers include Brian Fisher MBE – Patient and Public Network Involvement Lead, NHS Alliance. Brian has been a GP for 25 years and has pioneered a number of approaches to user involvement in the NHS, including community development (for which he was awarded an MBE), Patients as Teachers and patient access to health records. The NHS Alliance is an independent organisation that aims to champion and support all those working in primary care.
