Shahnaz Aziz, Head of Equalities and Involvement at Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) discusses the importance of Patient and Public Leadership in health care transformation, as well as a great opportunity to join our team as a Public Involvement and Equalities specialist.
As I reflect on my time with Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM), I’m reminded of the impact our work has on healthcare and the lives of patients across the region. For almost 10 years I have worked for HIEM, being an advocate ensuring patients and communities are considered and represented in our projects and programmes.
Why equality and patient involvement matters
A real goal for me is to ensure that our healthcare initiatives are approached through an “equality lens.” This means that every programme we support, from digital health tools to new medical devices, is carefully evaluated to understand how it may impact people of various backgrounds, abilities, and needs. Without this focus, even the most promising innovations can end up inaccessible or unsuitable for many in our communities.
The involvement of diverse patient voices is not just beneficial—it’s imperative. Healthcare innovations should be both safe and acceptable to the people they’re meant to serve. By including patients and the public in the conversation, we create solutions that matter to patients and meet real needs, promote safety, and build trust across the system.
The role of the PPLE team at HIEM
At HIEM, we act as the NHS’s innovation arm, connecting healthcare organisations with technologies and new ways of working that promise transformative outcomes. Within the PPLE team, we work to ensure public participation and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles are at the forefront of these transformations.
Whether we’re guiding our internal teams on patient and public involvement (PPI) or developing Equality Impact Assessments for new programmes, the PPLE team is focused on aligning innovations with the values of inclusivity and equity. We also offer our expertise to external partners across the NHS and healthcare industry, developing PPI and EDI packages tailored to their needs.
Join our team as a Public Involvement and Equalities Specialist
We are seeking an organised and dynamic team player – a person who is passionate about patient involvement and EDI and is excited by the prospect of expanding their experience and skills. Working across the East Midlands health and care system at the forefront of healthcare innovation and transformation.
Find out more about the role here.
For any questions please contact me at