Patients, carers, community organisations and the public have invaluable knowledge and experience that can help shape and improve local services.
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) has a number of ways that you can get involved, via our ‘Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Voices’ programme.
Jenny Brazier, CMCA Patient Engagement Lead, said: “It is extremely important to have patients, carers and community organisations involved in our projects to help improve cancer care and raise awareness of early detection. Patient perspective plays a huge role in cancer services and we want as many patients as possible to have their voices heard.”
Role Descriptions
The Cancer Alliance Programme Board oversees the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan for cancer and local cancer ambitions within Cheshire and Merseyside. User Representatives champion the diverse views of patients and advise the group on the patient/carer perspective.
Role Description: Cancer Alliance Programme Board User Representative
Clinical Quality Groups (CQGs) work to transform services and improve patient outcomes. There are CQGs for a wide range of cancer types and pathways (e.g. breast, head and neck and teenage and young adult). User Representatives champion the diverse views of patients and advise the group on the patient/carer perspective.
Role Description: Clinical Quality Group (CQG) User Representative
As a Patient Advisor, you would be invited to take part in projects/programmes of work within your area(s) of interest.
As a Patient Storyteller, you may be asked to share your story during a meeting, at a training session or at an educational event. We give the option for you to pre-record your story or speak in person. Stories may be share don social media (with your consent).
The Reader’s Panel includes members of the public who volunteer their time to read draft patient information produced by the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance. As a member of our Reader’s Panel you would be sent copies of patient information, such as leaflets and letters, to help us ensure that they are clear and easy to understand before they are published.
The Easy Reader’s Panel help us make sure our easy read information is easy to understand before it is used.
Community of Organisations
We want to establish a platform that enables community experts (organisations and people with lived experience) to have their say as to how cancer services are designed and delivered in Cheshire and Merseyside.
A community of organisations will support us in being able to be kept up-to-date with what is going on within your area, and to hear what is relevant to you and your service users. It will also allow us to share opportunities for involvement with you and your service users.
Interested?
If you are interested in being involved as a patient representative or storyteller – please complete the following form:
Patient representative or storyteller - form
If you are interested in becoming a member of our readers and easy readers panel – please complete the following form:
Readers and easy readers panel - form
If you are an organisation who is interested in becoming a member of our Community of Organisations, please complete the following form:
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Voices
Our Patient Representatives work with us to make improvements, develop new ideas and ensure patient voice is at the heart of everything we do.
Clare says: “I had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2018 I was in remission by 2019 after four rounds of chemotherapy.
"I really felt I would like to give feedback on my experiences of my treatment and care whilst accessing cancer services.
"Therefore, I chose to become a patient representative for Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance.
"I know how important it is to have the patient voice heard as I also work for Healthwatch so I feel that I can also add in that capacity.”
Michael says: “I have had cancer and I am still being treated for it; but it has not stopped me from enjoying life to the full.
"I have been pleased to help the cancer alliance by telling my story and raising awareness. We need cancer services and care to give hope to people who have been diagnosed with cancer.
"I have had great treatment but we need to make sure everybody has great treatment in Cheshire and Merseyside.”
Gill says: “Being a Patient Representative is a way for me to give back and a way to help improve the journey through and beyond treatments for others.”
If you have any questions regarding patient involvement, please email our Patient Engagement Lead jenny.brazier@nhs.net