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26 March 2010
Membership Officer’s message
Membership Officers Message
For this issue of 10 Things I’ve decided to move away from the usual format and focus on an event that we and nine of our member organisations attended.
Wednesday 24 March, Stamford Bridge football stadium played host to some 500 NHS managers, clinicians and front line staff. The event was the NHS leadership day organised by the National Leadership Council. A full report of the day will be published shortly.
For our part National Voices and nine of our members played host to morning and afternoon workshop sessions. Described as a ‘speed dating scenario’ each of us led fifteen minute table discussions with small groups of those attending the event. This was a great opportunity for each table to voice its particular concerns, thoughts, views and current or upcoming work.
Personally having now worked at both sides of the table I found it reassuring to see NHS staff talking, listening, sharing views and ideas with people who worked for charities and finally falling upon a the common ground of understanding.
Below, with the inclusion of National Voices, I’ve listed all the members that attended the event and highlighted some of their work
Lastly, I would like to thank the National Leadership Council for inviting us and our members to the event and the member organisations who attended and participated on the day.
Best wishes
Laurence Whittle Membership Officer
We recently launched our campaign ‘Share the Power’, which calls upon the NHS to: - Involve people earlier in decision about service change and give them a real say - Make it much easier for people o voice concern and give feedback - Tackle the continuing culture of medical paternalism
In addition to attending the NHS leadership day, we have had Phil Hope MP attend our own National Assembly , our letter requesting that patients and carers are treated as adults published in The Times and Jeremy Taylor, our Chief Executive feature as part of an expert panel on the Radio Four programme ‘You and Yours’ to answer questions regarding whether we expect too much from our GP’s. Click here to listen to the programme.
2. Action against medical accidents
Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident. AvMA has recently launched a report that raises concerns about the Care Quality Commission regulations that come into force on April 1st. Click here to read the report.
Alzheimer's Society works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Understanding dementia is a national campaign charged with raising public awareness of the condition. For more information on dementia please click here
Asthma UK is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. Asthma UK has published a thought provoking article calling for teachers to being given mandatory asthma training. Click here to read more.
Behçet’s Syndrome Society exists to support people with Behçet’s syndrome (sometimes known as Behçet’s disease). Behçet is a chronic condition caused by disturbances in the body’s immune system. The condition is reported as affecting 1 in 60,000 and on average takes 8 – 10years to diagnose.
Recently the Charity was successful in its application for National Commissioning, with plans for centres that will treat people with Behçet’s based in Liverpool, Birmingham and London. The Centres are expected to be up and running from 1 April 2011. A full report on this will follow in the near future.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a charity focused on removing the fear of breast cancer for good through research campaigning and education. To read information on or get involved in Breakthrough’s campaign please click here.
Epilepsy Action is a member organisation acting as the voice for the UK’s estimated 456,000 people with epilepsy. The charity launched a report called ‘time for change’ for more information on the report please click here.
Expert Patients Programme (EPP CIC) is a non for profit social enterprise that provides free self management programmes for adults living with any long term health condition(s). EPP released a report on self care reducing cost and improving health.
National Childbirth Trust (NTC) is the UK’s largest parenting charity with over 100,000 members. They provide a range of supportive services directly to parents through a network of local branches as well as national helplines, website and national campaigning work. NTC has launched its manifesto for the 2010 General Election, click here to read more.
10. Parkinson’s Disease Society
Parkinson’s Disease Society, who will be changing their name to Parkinson’s UK on 8 April, supports all people affected by Parkinson’s. On 24 March the charity produced a response to the budget announcements made by Chancellor AlistairDarlin. Click here to read the response.
Contributions: If you have any items of information or news that you would like to see in future editions of 10 Things, please send details to info@nationalvoices.org.uk or contact Laurence Whittle on 020 3176 0733.
Laurence Whittle Membership Officer
Direct line: 020 3176 0733
laurence.whittle@nationalvoices.org.uk | www.nationalvoices.org.uk Help us to save paper - do you need to print this email?
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