Hospitals launching appeal for volunteers to be voice of patients

Humber NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a team of ‘patient voice volunteers’ who will spend time on wards and in-patient units supporting people to talk about their experiences and helping to find solutions to difficulties they may be having.

Jules Williams, care quality director at the Trust, said: “This is an opportunity for people to use their own skills and life experiences to make a huge difference in the lives of others who may be going through a difficult time,” he explained.

“When you’re not well or worried about someone else, we know it’s not always easy to speak up if you’re not happy with something. To make sure we’re always providing the best services possible, we also ask our patients and their families a lot of questions and the Patient Voice Volunteers will be able to support people to get the most out of this.”

No specific previous experience is required. However, the trust would like to encourage applications from people who have had experience of health services as a patient or a carer or who are interested in helping the health service to work more effectively.

There will be plenty of support for volunteers and training will be available. They are holding two events. The first will be held in Beverley on Monday, September 29 between 2pm and 4pm and the second will be held in Hull on Tuesday, October 7 between 2pm and 4pm.

To book or for more information contact Diane Heaven, patient experience and equality manager at Humber NHS Foundation Trust, on 01482 389146 or by emailing: [email protected]