Patients' Council

Our Patients' Council sits at the very heart of the College of Medicine.

Between them our patient members have experience as patients and carers; of adult, child and elderly NHS services; physical and mental health conditions; end of life care; acute serious illness; major injury and long term conditions.

Like everyone else, they are not defined by their experiences of ill health. They bring with them professional expertise in voluntary and public sector management, NHS administration and governance, science, business, journalism and the law. Their collective knowledge and wisdom is crucial in grounding the work of the College in real life experience.

The Patient Council is consulted on all major decisions, influences the agenda of other committees and carries out its own work programme.

The College of Medicine is now accepting patient members - join here.

More

Papers

Background: getting heard
There are between seven and fourteen thousand patient organisations in the UK.  Why is there still such difficulty in getting heard?

Perspectives paper: Lessons will not be learnt
Safety of healthcare is a significant priority for the Patients’ Council and represents a major workstream.

Our advice to government

Periodically there are major scandals in the NHS, when it emerges that endemic failures in a particular service have led to great suffering or many deaths.  Reports and sackings follow, but do not seem to be enough to prevent the next failure.

Here we suggest a system of greater accountability to stop the cycle and bring lasting improvement to the NHS. Read our advice to government.

Patient Forum online

We are launching an online forum for Patients to join the College of Medicine's discussions.  Join here.

Who's Who

Find out more about the members of our Patient's Council and their experience.