April 2010
The members of the East Kilbride & District Public Partnership Forum have been out and about recently publicising the work that they do in partnership with the NHS to provide information about health services within local communities. The latest events have been held in the atrium of Hairmyres hospital and East Kilbride town centre.
The forum is made up of representatives from various local organisations such as community councils and voluntary groups with a health interest. However, anyone can join to learn more about what is happening in their local health service and they can also take the opportunity to make their views known about their local services and what they would like to see happening to improve them. We aim to provide information on how to access help and advice on all matters relating to health. We also give you the chance to let the NHS know what you think of health services.
Meetings are held every two months in the Murray Owen Centre where members can learn from medical professionals about the changes and improvements that are taking place and being considered for the future. Members are consulted about these changes in order that the NHS can truly reflect the needs of patients and local communities when setting out their health plans. NHS Scotland and NHS Lanarkshire seek the views of forums on impending health legislation which can be anything from hospital appointments and waiting times to screening programmes for serious health conditions.
The Public Partnership Forum also has a direct link to Hairmyres hospital through the regular meetings they hold with medical staff and management personnel where patients' issues are discussed and action taken to resolve problems. For one such issue where hospital food was a matter of concern for some patients, forum members took part in several tasting sessions when the delivery and preparation arrangements for patients' food were examined.
Membership of the forum also provides further volunteering and training opportunities which enable members to become part of NHS teams which visit hospitals, care homes, day care surgeries and GP practices. As lay assessors for NHS Scotland they play an important role in inspecting these health facilities form the service users point of view and experience.
Chairperson, Helen Biggins said, “We hope to provide people with the full range of information they require to ensure good health and well-being while also knowing how to access help and advice on all matters relating to health. This also gives patients the chance to let the NHS know what they think of the services and to express their various health needs.”
Contact:
East Kilbride & District Public Partnership Forum
Red Deer Centre
Alberta Avenue
East Kilbride
G75 8NH
Tel: 01355 593493
Email: patricia.taylor@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk