Groups explained
Groups are mini communities on topics of special interest such as a local fundraising branch or an international trek, You can suggest a new group at the bottom of the group home page.
Want to have your say on heart services?
Welcome to my first blog. My name’s Freya, and my role here at the BHF involves finding ways to ensure that people making decisions about heart services, listen to the voice of people touched by heart disease.
No matter where we live in the UK, our healthcare gives us plenty to talk about.
In England, are you sacking or backing the Health and Social Care Bill? In Wales, how do you feel about presumed consent on organ donation? In Northern Ireland what does the possible return of prescription charges mean for you? And in Scotland, do you think Independence could have an impact on the health care you receive?
But sometimes, just discussing things isn’t enough. If it’s going to affect you, wouldn’t it be better to really have your say? At the BHF we want to support you to have a voice in the decision making process – that’s why we’ve started this blog.
How do we make this happen?
The NHS Constitution for England states that people have the right to be involved in planning and decision making for their healthcare services. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, health services are similarly committed to patient and public engagement.
But how many people actually know these opportunities exist? In a recent BHF survey, we asked people whether they were aware of these opportunities to influence the NHS. We got nearly 1000 responses, and a whopping 70% said they had no idea.
We want this to change.
We have designed these new pages to give you vital information about how health services are organised where you live. You can also find out more about how to have your say, and who you need to talk to, to make sure you’re heard.
We will also use the BHF community and social media sites, to make sure you’re aware of new opportunities to influence local and national decision makers.
Let’s talk!
We’d like to hear from you. These pages are just a start and we’ve made sure everything’s flexible so it can be changed to really support you. We’d like to know your thoughts to help shape what we do next. So...
- What do you think of the new pages?
- What are your thoughts about patient and public engagement in the NHS?
- What can BHF do to best support you to have a voice in decision making?
- What’s going on where you live that other’s can add their voice too?
Thanks and please share your thoughts by posting below – or drop me an email at burleyf@bhf.org.uk and have your say today.
Hi Freya very good post let us hope that this can reach a wider community to try and get things done. I think that the more people that join the BHF blog then hopefully the more clout it will give the BHF to try and make sure that the correct things are looked at in the NHS. I will come back and let you have some more info when I get a little more time.
Hi Ray,
Great to hear from you! Thanks very much for your encouraging words too - glad you liked the post.
Loving your analogy of getting more people on board to give us more clout. That's exactly what we're hoping to do.
Definitley get back to me when you have more time. Would be great to hear some more of your thougts.
Hi Freya, One way maybe to get more people involved in the blog would be to get the local co-ordinators in the Hearty Towns to get local people to register on the BHF website, and then get them involved in the Blog. This does not have to be older people, because heart problems does not only come to the older population it can effect children, teenagers etc. Another way maybe is to get pension clubs etc involved I know that running a campaign in the press or TV is going to cost money, but word of mouth is the best way.
If I can come back with any thing else then I will do.
Ray
hi freya,am a first timer so please bear with me,I myself have had heart attack,and this week my sister has just had a stroke,bhf is a wonderful resource and your blog will be a great addition.with regard to nhs reforms instead of everbody seemingly focusing on cuts to essential services,we should all be concentrating on getting rid of the overwhelming bureaucracy and there then will be more money,indeed I pect a lot!!!!! more money,thanks
Hi guys,
Thanks for the comments - it's really interesting to hear your thoughts.
Raymond - in terms of how you can get involved, there are lots of different options. A lot of it depends on where you live. Did you find anything useful in these pages? If you click on where you live, I've put a few suggestions for where to start in the pink box at the top of the page.
Another good place to start is to ask at your GP practice. Lots of practices have Patient Participation Groups (they're not always called this, some call them 'user groups' for example). These can be a really great way to have a voice in local decision making.
Let me know how it goes! If none of these work for you get in touch and we'll have a look at other options.
Freya
hello freya,
I would like to comment on the wonderful work you do at the BHF I am lucky and have a family at home but for many people you must be a massive life line especially when they recieve the news.and even so I have looked at the BHF for answers that know one else can give. you are a great inspiration and I know that I always have someone to turn to, so thank you,
Great post Freya! Thanks for sharing with the rest of our community.