Following on from the recent EMAHSN Nottinghamshire Patient, Service User, Carer and Citizen Networking Event, Patient Leader Derek Stewart gives his personal perspective on the event, the value of networking and what’s next in Nottinghamshire. You can find out more about our Patient and Public Involvement and future events here.
Today, I attended an exceptional meeting with other patients, carers and members of the public. It was warm and welcoming. It was held in the community, with a good public transport link and was very accessible.
It was just great to meet other people. I learned about many of the things that are happening locally that engage and involve people. It was personal not organisational. It covered care, treatment and research together rather than separated. They were as one.
Presentations were minimal. Dialogue was central. Time was allocated for people to talk to each other. Refreshments and lunch were plentiful.
The event was all about how we might work together to improve people’s health and wellbeing. It was a model of best practice and a joy to be a part of this journey.
Thanks to the excellent work of Shahnaz Aziz, her superb team and all the partners, including the Patient & Public Involvement Senate. It is a genuine tribute to so many remarkable individuals living here in this community.
So, let me unravel some of this because the key lies as much in what this was as to what it was not.
This was an event by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (often just called the AHSN). It is a great example of precisely what this organisation is about rather than what it is doing. The focus today was on local citizens rather than the science. Well done!
East Midlands? The meeting was held in Nottingham and was one of a series that the Network is holding across the region. This localised approach was welcomed by the attendees as we get to meet other people who are helping in the City and County. Local makes real sense because the solutions and problems are within that landscape.
Academic? The word Academic may at times put some people off as it might seem exclusive yet it was Plato who described an Academy as ‘a place to ask questions’. This meeting was very much about conversations and made it exactly about asking questions. It was also held in the community not at a university.
Health Science? The very nature of this organisation is to ignite innovation - bringing together the NHS, universities, industry, third sector, patients and social care to transform the health of East Midlands residents and stimulate wealth creation. But, this was local citizenship at its best because it was about how we can improve health. It was about how we as citizens could make a difference and not about our individual health needs.
Network? It was an opportunity to ‘network’ but it was simply just great to meet new people as well as some old friends. It was a reminder that networks are essentially about people.
What was the actual event, I hear you ask. It was the...
Nottinghamshire Patient, Service User, Carer and Citizen Networking Event on Thursday 14th February form 09.45am - 3.30pm at Trent Vineyard
You can get a flavour of the event by searching #InvolveNotts on Twitter but I thought I would reflect on some of the highlights I witnessed.
Welcoming – I really mean welcoming as I forgot to register. “No problem! What is your name? How is that spelled?” I have a badge with my name wrote large so that people can read it. I am given a folder with programme and a leaflet of personal contacts.
The venue is open and airy with plenty of room to move about and view the stands and tables. It was within walking distance for me but being on the Nottingham City Tram Network was a bonus for many. Also plenty of parking and very friendly staff.
The tone for the day was set by Amanda Roberts, an exceptional active patient advocate passionate about change, improvement and eczema care.
Time – to meet and talk to other people, to view the stands and find out more about what is going on locally. Great to talk to Small Steps, Big Challenges, Healthwatch Nottingham and Diabetes.
Presentations – were kept to minimum. A personal introduction from a Board Member about why today is so important and an essential overview of the new health landscape of integrated care.
Those working in different parts of the NHS in ways to involve people were restricted to a two minute presentation. We heard from a ‘person’ and then could try to catch up later in the day to find out more.
I was struck by one transformational moment when Shahnaz chose to talk to the room rather than give a presentation. Members of the audience were invited to comment on what motivated them to become involved, to offer advice to others, to speak about what had changed for the better. This was a truly inspiring and brave action.
You can find out more about how Public Involvement is making a difference and register for the newsletter, Public Face to join in and make a difference.
What next for us in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire?
Through this event Shahnaz, the AHSN and partners have set us all a challenge.
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How might we work together to take this to a community level - e.g. St Ann’s, Clifton, The Meadows, Mansfield, Ashfield, etc.?
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How do we reach a more diverse population and talk to the seldom heard?
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What else could we do to hear the voices of young people e.g. through schools and colleges?
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How do we build on the experiences, motivations and resilience of the inspirational individuals and communities we heard throughout the day?
These questions echo what we are trying to do with the Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre. You can read our Strategy here.
Note: Derek Stewart is currently working with the National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre. You can read his own blog here or follow him on Twitter @DerekCStewart