Patient Involvement - Experts by Experience
To get involved in cancer service transformation you might like to consider joining our Patient Advisory Board. It meets in a virtual capacity once a month. Patients and former patients listen to educational talks by various experts, give their views and experiences, and provide their perspective and expertise to help shape cancer services.
Patient experience is at the core of our work, it forms part of our key values and enables us to include the patient voice at the heart of cancer service improvement. Co-producing our improvements makes use of the knowledge and insight patients can offer, making them equal experts by experience. The patient perspective informs what we do and how we transform cancer services in the East of England.
Marion Foreman, co-chair of the Patient Advisory Board, talks about why she joined the PAB.
Ray Anderson, co-chair of the PAB, encourages other patients to get involved.
"Welcome to the Patient Advisory Board. Our role is to ensure that the voice of the patient is heard across the Cancer Alliance. We are a part of the planning and implementation of care for patients in our area.
"I joined the PAB as the carer for someone living with cancer. Although I am also a nurse and have spent many years caring for people with cancer, I can honestly say that I learnt more ‘being on the other side’. I use that knowledge of the lived experience to help to shape cancer care in the future.
"If your life has been touched by cancer, please join the PAB and share your thoughts and ideas."
.
"I joined the Patient Advisory Board when it was set up in 2017. I was treated for bowel cancer in 2010 first having surgery followed by six rounds of chemotherapy. The care I received was good but not everything went as well as I would have liked. This sparked my interest in volunteering in order to get as good an experience as possible for cancer patients.
"The Patient Advisory Board is made up of patients, carers and is supported by clinicians and other professional staff. We are on the lookout for more PAB members, particularly those with current or recent experience of cancer services so, if you are interested, please contact us through the Alliance website."
The East of England Cancer Alliance Patient Advisory Board provides patient and carer leadership and insight to the Cancer Alliance Board. It ensures the views and experiences of cancer patients, carers and families inform all aspects of the Cancer Alliance work programme and its delivery, taking a special interest in patient experience and equity of access.
Co-Chairs: Marion Foreman and Ray Anderson
Next Meeting: Currently meeting (virtually) on Microsoft Teams, on the first Wednesday of every month.
As of June 2020, confirmed patient/carer members of the Patient Advisory Board and their associated STP areas are:
| Member | STP |
|---|---|
|
Suzan St Maur (MKCPP) Shae Ecclestone Fiona Carey Dave Simpson |
Bedford, Luton & Milton Keynes |
|
Marion Foreman |
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough |
| Ray Anderson OBE | Hertfordshire & West Essex |
|
Paul Foulger Paul Osman |
Mid & South Essex |
|
Jean Goffin Laura Woods (Big C) Jo Pawlett |
Norfolk & Waveney |
|
Tony Rollo Lindsey Cook |
Suffolk & North East Essex |
The Cancer Alliance Lead for the Patient Advisory Board is
Jai Jayaraman jai.jayaraman@nhs.net