patient , public involvement and complaints within healthcare advice/tips.

The subject matter of incomplete and dissatisfying health care is a reoccuring discussion among these boards so I thought I would put this up. PPI (patient , public involvement) is a push for individuals to get involved in discussing the state of the health services and a move toward creating patient led health services.

the link below gives you a listing of PPI forums discussing local  problems and you can even become a volunteer advocating your local services. Even if you can't be an volunteer it's good to discuss any concerns about the services in your local Trust there because the PPI do get acknowledged by the DOH and may influence goverment initiatives. In a way here's the opportunity to influence the design of your local NHS services as well as get inpartial advice about what services are available to you.

http://www.cppih.org/about_what.html

How to complain about your health service

here is pdf links from the DOH on how to make a complaint about NHS care:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/91/99/04139199.pdf
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/ComplaintsPolicy/NHSComplaintsProcedure/NHSComplaintsProcedureArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4080900&chk=nxiG%2B5
http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/homepage.cfm

Great resource. Thanks Alicia!

They are a great unknown resource. I've worked with them via our local trust and they were quit helpful, or at least seem to be. I contacted them following issues with my daughter's asthma and they took the information very seriously, and hopefully others will keep them informed.

A friend (in the NHS) has told me about the group--thanks for spreading the word!

Thank you Alicia.