Patients, carers, family members and friends who have been affected by cancer can help shape cancer services across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by joining Wessex Cancer Alliance’s Patient, Carer and Public Involvement Network.
Anyone, regardless of age, experiences, or cultural background, is welcome to sign up. The people within local communities are an integral part of helping Wessex Cancer Alliance to ensure local cancer services and support are providing the care that people need.
Sally Rickard, Managing Director for Wessex Cancer Alliance said:
“It’s incredibly important that we have patients, carers and representatives with a variety of experience and backgrounds involved in all our plans – from keeping people well; making sure more people get an early or faster cancer diagnosis; to improving people’s care and support through and beyond their treatment.
“Our ambition for this new Network is that we will involve people in more meaningful and supportive ways. We will provide training, pay expenses, translate and make information more accessible, hold meetings at times that suit people and talk to them about other ways we can make being involved easier.”
Ms. Della Ogunleye, Cancer Patient Representative said:
“I became a patient representative after my cancer diagnosis. Working alongside other patient representatives means we can all make sure that the patient voice is heard. While I can’t be all patients, I bring the real-world impact and patient perspective into focus. I get the support of the healthcare professionals willing to learn from patients’ lived experience.
“I have generally had a good experience of cancer care, other patients especially the underrepresented groups I have met would not describe their experience as good so there is room for improvement especially engaging more with this group of patients. I believe getting involved is one way of influencing how care is provided.”
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Getting involved can work in many different ways depending on what people are interested in and how much time they want to spend doing this.
In the past, patients and carers have shared their experiences at cancer events, by giving feedback on leaflets and websites, sharing their views on screening via surveys and focus groups, taking part in phone interviews to evaluate new services, helping design projects and review cancer pathways.
To find out more about the Network or to join it visit: www.wessexcanceralliance.nhs.uk/get-involved or contact Sue Newell, Patient and Public Involvement Programme Manager at [email protected].
