Looking to hear views from both public and patients, North West Ambulance Service is recruiting volunteers to join a panel of voices to gain insight and feedback from the people that matter the most – their community.
The Public and Patient Panel will allow the trust to make sure that they hear what their public think and act upon their views with the feedback working to shape the future of the ambulance service.
Volunteers are able to decide on their level of involvement, from completing online surveys and feeding back on strategies to attending focus groups right up to regular participation at the trust Board. NWAS are looking for representatives of all ages above 16 and from all areas of the North West.
Julie Treharne, Head of Communications and Engagement said: “Everything we do is for our patients and our public and we feel that it’s vital that we hear their views and that they have a say on service improvement and changes that we make as a trust.
“Whilst you don’t need to have used the service to be a member of our panel, we know that our patients with lived experience could offer us a unique perspective as members which we’d love to hear. We’re looking for people from across the North West of all ages, beliefs, cultures and circumstances to help us build a representative picture of our community.”
The overall aim of the Patient and Public Panel is for the ambulance service to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided to patients, their relatives and carers.
Participants will be asked to give feedback on key strategies and new ways of working and will be able to choose their level of involvement varying from online surveys right up to taking an active role in Board and committee meetings.
There are three different types of involvement which require different levels of time and contribution. These are:

  • Influence – Members will be supported to attend meetings within the trust such as board and committee meetings where their views will help to influence decision making and discussions on a variety of different subjects. This role will require regular time commitment such as reading agendas and supporting materials ahead of scheduled meetings and availability to attend meetings at a trust location.
  • Co-produce – Our co-production panel will work together on projects with the trust to help make service improvements. As part of the co-production panel, participants may be asked to get involved in focus groups on topics such as vehicle design, communiction with the public or new models of providing patient care. This role will require occasional commitment and travel to a trust or community based location.
  • Consult – The consult panel will be virtual and members will be asked to contribute online which can be flexible to fit in with other commitments they may have such as work and family life. Examples of participation may include completing surveys or providing feedback on leaflets or publications via email or online.

Panel members cannot be current NWAS employees and must be over the age of 16 living in Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside or Greater Manchester. They should be able to empathise with and reflect a range of different perspectives when sharing opinions.
Expenses will be reimbursed and although members are asked to commit to a minimum of one year, they are welcome to withdraw at any time.
Information about how to apply to become a panel member can be found here, www.nwas.nhs.uk/panel.