Carers and patients can help shape services

Patients and carers are being invited to help shape local NHS mental health and learning disability services.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) are encouraging people to make their voice heard and visible at all levels of the trust’s work.

As part of Carers Week – with this year’s theme being a call to ‘Make Caring Visible’ – want to recognised the contribution of patients and carers.

Alane Bould, head of patient and carer involvement at CNTW, said: “We know that involving patients, carers and their families in making decisions about their care can help to make their journey to recovery an easier and more positive experience.

“We are always looking for more service users and carers with experience of our services to get in touch with us.

“Our team will ensure the right training and support is provided for anyone wishing to get involved, and ensure they can maintain their own wellbeing.”

The Involvement Team have set up an ‘Involvement Bank,’ which people who have used the Trust’s services can register on to hear about opportunities to share their views and influence how the Trust works.

Carers and family members of patients can also be part of the Involvement Bank.

The Involvement Team is particularly keen to hear from patients and carers about their experiences of using the Trust’s services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey can be completed online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/V6MMVMH

Additional support completing the survey is available from Involvement Facilitators on 01670 501 816 or email involvement@cntw.nhs.uk