Getting Involved

We want to hear from you!

We are committed to working and engaging with patients, carers and the public in many ways. We aim to make sure people’s views are heard, at all levels and across all parts of the healthcare system.

Get involved in the latest NHS Western Isles consultation, survey or discussion by telling us what you think. Topics will be added and you will be able to participate in meetings, focus groups or responding to questionnaires as they are advertised.

All NHS Boards have a legal duty to involve patients and the public in the planning and development of health services and the Patient Focus Public Involvement Team work to ensure that this duty is carried out. The duty is part of the NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004 and the requirements of Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services.

In this section of the website, you can find out about how you can get involved as well as information about current projects and how we support patient, carer and public representatives.

Why should I get involved?

User and public involvement is a vital part of NHS Western Isles service development. To continually improve services, NHS professionals welcome opportunities to listen carefully to service users as people with lived experience.

Feedback, comments, compliments and complaints provide us with an opportunity to review and reflect on the care and services we provide, to learn and improve patients experiences.

The following are examples of service improvements that have been put in place in response to your feedback:

New wheelchairs were purchased for placement at the Western Isles Hospital entrance.
The Emergency Department has extended its reception cover.
The appointment referral system has been revised and improved.
Self-referral to a variety of clinics such as physiotherapy and podiatry.
A new consent form has been introduced that outlines informed consent and gives the opportunity for patients to ask the consultants questions
Development of localised services to reduce patient travel to mainland appointments

How can I get involved?

There are various ways that you can be involved. The patient groups listed below are examples of working groups and committees that periodically seek patients, carers and members of the public from time to time.

Committees

Infection Control Committee
Spiritual Care Committee

Working Groups and Strategic Planning Groups

Patients Panel
Equality and Human Rights Operation Group
Volunteer Advisory Group
Strategic Nutrition and Hydration Group
Mental Health Forum

Managed Clinical Networks

NHS Western Isles welcomes the participation of patient representatives. If you have experience of a particular illness or illnesses and would like to participate in one of our Managed Clinical Networks please get in touch.

A Managed Clinical Network is a network of a variety of health staff (including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists) and organisations from primary, secondary and community health care working together to make sure that high quality clinically effective services are fairly distributed.

If you decide you would like to be involved we can arrange an informal meeting. Following this there is a formal process of interview and induction for all volunteers and lay representatives at NHS Western Isles. The following MCN meetings are accessible to all and can be video-linked to NHS locations across the Western Isles:

Neurology MCN
Diabetes MCN
Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke MCN
Respiratory MCN
Cancer MCN
Children MCN

If you would like to find out more, please contact the NHS Western Isles Public Health Administration Office, tel. (01851) 708034.

Patient Focus and Public Involvement

Patient and Public Representatives

Current Opportunities

Public and Patient Representative – There are no current vacancies at this time.

Should you wish to be considered for any future roles and wish to have an informal discussion about the requirements of taking on the role of a lay representative please feel free to contact:

TK Shadakshari
Volunteer Services Manager
Spiritual Care Department
Western Isles Hospital
Macaulay Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis HS1 2AF
Tel. 01851 704704 ext 2476
Email: tk.shadakshari@nhs.scot

Locality Planning Groups

How do we involve the full range of stakeholders in health and social care integration?

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill places a duty on local authorities and NHS Boards to integrate health and social care services across Scotland. As part of the Bill, a particular focus has been placed on locality planning arrangements in each area.

Groups consist of individuals who have an interest in health and social care issues. These meetings are open to everyone and usually take place in the evenings. Members of the public can attend these meetings to observe and listen to the discussions.

Locality Planning Groups have been established in Harris, Barra & Vatersay, Uist, rural Lewis and Stornoway and Broadbay under the Integration Joint Board.

To find out more about the Locality Planning Groups please contact Catriona Mackenzie, Western Isles Integrated Joint Board (IJB), tel. (01851) 600501 or email catriona-mackenzie@cne-siar.gov.uk