East of England Radiotherapy Network Patient Representation Strategy and Scope

Overview

The East of England Radiotherapy Network (‘EofE RTN’) consists of five NHS Trusts, (Appendix 1), which provide radiotherapy treatment in the East of England. Established in 2019, the Network is designed to modernise and transform the provision of radiotherapy services against two service specifications which set out the scope and objectives.

It is recognised by the EofE RTN that patient co-production and involvement is highly valuable, particularly in relation to service planning, service design and evaluation. Patient representatives will be invited to work with the EofE RTN on a variety of projects where the contributions of patients and carers can improve the experience of patients, the scope of involvement is outlined below.

Who we communicate with and involve will vary dependent on the workstream goal. We do not underestimate the importance of involving a wide range of people and organisations as equal partners to enable us to achieve our objectives.

Scope

1. The patient representatives will be invited to work with the EofE RTN on a variety of projects where the contributions of patients and carers can improve the experience of patients.

2. The patient representatives will be a source of advice to the EofE RTN.

3. The patient representatives will work with the EofE RTN in seeking the views of patients to highlight areas of good practice and to make recommendations for improving services for patients.

4. The patient representatives will also act as a sounding board for EofE RTN on issues affecting patients and will work collaboratively to help improve services for patients.

5. The patient representative will be invited to attend the bi-annual EofE RTN Network Oversight Group Executive meetings.

6. The Network Oversight Group will work with patient representatives to identify specific areas where service improvement is needed and will continue to work together to ensure that patient experience is addressed.

Limitation to Patient Representative Involvement

Views of the patients are important and co-design is at the heart of service improvement. Patient representatives are invited into meetings and it is not in their remit to be involved in operational matters. Where there are meetings without patient representation the constituent departments of the EofE RTN have mechanisms in place to engage patient representatives and feedback will be sought where appropriate.

Signed and dated by Ashley Shaw, Chair of the East of England Radiotherapy Network Oversight Group and Network Oversight Executive Group 12/10/2022

Signed and dated by Ray Anderson, Co-Chair of Patient Partnership Group 11/10/2022

Appendices
Appendix 1

1. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

2. East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (incorporating Colchester Hospital and Ipswich Hospital)

3. Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

4. North West Anglia NHS Trust

5. Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Glossary

  •  Co-production –An approach to decision-making and service design that recognises that if organisations are to deliver successful services, they must understand the needs of their users and engage them closely in the design and delivery of those services.
  • Service Design – Process where patients are given a proactive part to pay in relation to the services they receive.
  •  Evaluation – Assessment through rigorous process of an aspect of healthcare to assess whether it fulfils its objectives.
  •  Task and Finish Group – A group set up as an action sub-group of a larger group or committee with the aim of delivering a specified objective. Task and finish group members are restricted to those who have responsibility and knowledge to deliver the service.
  • Patient Pathway - The route that a patient follows from the first contact with an NHS member of staff (typically his or her GP) through referral to the completion of treatment

The strategy document is available here to download.