Patient & Carer Reference Group

Transcription

1 Patient & Carer Reference Group Samantha Wood Patient Experience & Partnerships Manager

2 Approved by XXX on (date) 1. Purpose of Committee References to the Reference Group shall mean the Patient & Carer Reference Group. 1.1 The Reference Group will act as a point of reference for the Trust in relation to issues and areas of relevance to service users and carers regarding services provided by the Trust. 1.2 The Reference Group will ensure that service user and carer involvement develops and matures at all levels within the Trust including at local service, care group (Division) and corporate levels. 2. Authority 2.1 The Reference Group is authorised by the Quality Assurance Committee to conduct its activities in accordance with its terms of reference. 3. Clinical Focus and Engagement 3.1 The Trust considers clinical engagement and involvement in Board decisions to be an essential element of its governance arrangements and as such the Trust s integrated governance approach aims to mainstream clinical governance into all planning, decision-making and monitory activity undertaken by the Board. 4. Membership 4.1 The membership of the Committee will comprise; Chair - Chief Nurse (Executive lead for service user and carer engagement) Deputy Chair - Head of Patient Experience & Partnerships Patient Experience & Partnerships Manager Non Executive Director Representative from Carers Groups Open Membership for Service Users, Carers, advocates, local community and voluntary sector and other people interested in the work of the Trust As required - Representation from the Adult Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Division As required - Representation from the Community Health Services Division As required - Representation from the Families, Young People and Childrens Division Customer Services Manager As required - Representation from Communications Page 1 of 5

3 Approved by XXX on (date) Department Representation from the Trust s Equality and Diversity Team Representation from the Department of Spiritual & Pastoral Care 4.2 In the absence of the Reference Group Chairman and an Appointed Deputy, the remaining members present shall elect one of themselves to chair the meeting. 5. Secretary 5.1 The Patient Experience & Partnerships Manager or their nominee shall act as Secretary of the Committee. 6. Quorum 6.1 A quorum shall be 5 members (at least 1 will be a Service User and 1 will be Carer) If the meeting is not quorate it can still proceed, however, no binding decisions will be made. 7. Frequency of Meetings 7.1 The Reference Group will meet quarterly or at least 3 times per financial year (April March). 7.2 Staff members will be expected to attend at least 75% of all meetings in an annual cycle. 7.3 Attendance for Service Users, Carers, advocates, local community and voluntary sector and other people interested in the work of the Trust is open and flexible. 8. Agenda/Notice of Meetings 8.1 The Reference Group Chair shall determine the Reference Group agenda. Items for inclusion in the agenda shall be submitted two weeks prior to a meeting. Unless otherwise agreed, notice of each meeting confirming the venue, time and date together with an agenda of items to be discussed, shall be forwarded to each member of the Reference Group and any other person required to attend, no later than 3 working days before the date of the meeting. Supporting papers shall be sent to Reference Group members and to other attendees as appropriate, at the same time. 9. Minutes of Meetings 9.1 The Secretary shall note the proceedings and resolutions of all Reference Group meetings, including the names of those present and in attendance. 9.2 Notes of Reference Group meetings shall be circulated promptly to all members of the Committee. Page 2 of 5

4 Approved by XXX on (date) 10. Duties 10.1 To promote service user and carer involvement in Trust activity at all levels 10.2 To receive reports from Trust managers within the three Divisions on how service user and carer involvement is being delivered and its impact upon services 10.3 To ensure that the Care Quality Commission registration process is influenced by both patient experience and outcomes from service user and carer involvement, including National Patient Survey action plans 10.4 To sign off the annual service user and carer involvement report and plan 10.5 To agree on the contents of an annual work plan, and to monitor its delivery 10.6 To provide the Trust Board with a service user and carer perspective on relevant issues or discussions 10.7 To receive direct feedback from service users and carers on specific involvement activities, to support the development of strong partnership working with the voluntary and community sector and to share good practice to address any issues in relation the engagement across the Trust 10.8 To receive updates and monitor delivery of the Trust s Involvement and Patient Experience Strategy To Consider the impact of the Trust s policies and strategies for service users and carers To establish clear links and communication systems with local Service User and Carer groups, the Council of Governors, Commissioners, providers of Advocacy Services, Voluntary Sector Organisations, Community Groups, Independent Healthwatch groups, and any other bodies where appropriate To contribute to the development of Trust policies and strategies ensuring that appropriate consideration is given to the needs of service users and carers Promote equity in services and methods of identifying and spreading good practices across the Trust Promote Trust-wide initiatives that support the improved experience of patients and carers. Page 3 of 5

5 Approved by XXX on (date) To support the Trust s work of the Equality and Diversity Sub Group to involve the hardest to reach groups of Service Users to support the Trust to deliver its overall strategy. 11. Reporting Responsibilities 11.1 The Reference Group will report to the Quality Assurance Committee. 12. Annual Review 12.1 The Reference Group shall, at least once a year, review its own performance, constitution and terms of reference to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes it considers necessary to its reporting Committee for approval. Page 4 of 5