People who have been affected by cancer are working with senior clinicians and commissioners across the Fylde coast to improve cancer care and services.
The Patient Cancer Care Improvement (PCCI) Group was set up earlier this year by NHS Blackpool and Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
PCCI Group patient chairperson David Baxter, who lives in Thornton Cleveleys, said: “Our group is made up of around 15 people who have, or had, cancer or care for someone with cancer and we’re really pleased to be working with both CCGs and the Trust to make things better for patients and their families.”
Each month, senior commissioners and clinicians from all three organisations meet to discuss where improvements in cancer care and services can be made – this is the Fylde coast cancer steering group.
Speaking on behalf of all three organisations, Fleetwood GP and chair of the steering group, Dr Adam Janjua, said: “The steering group decided that if we really want to make improvements, then we need to take on board the views and experiences of people who are, or have been, affected by cancer.
“After advertising for people to get involved, I was really pleased that we were able to bring together a group of people who are dedicated to making a difference.”
The PCCI Group meets bi-monthly at NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG in Wesham and the group’s chairperson now also sits on the steering group. So far, the group has been asked to provide feedback on referral letters and end of treatment packs.
Mr Baxter added: “It’s fantastic that we can have a real two way conversation with senior commissioners and clinicians across the Fylde coast.
“This group of volunteers has a wide range of experiences and professional skills. We are determined to do what we can to assist the steering group in its important task of ensuring that there are quality, comprehensive and improving arrangements for cancer care and services across the Fylde coast.”
A ‘virtual’ PCCI Group is also being set up as an extension of the main group where people can give views and feedback via email. If anybody who has been affected by cancer would like to join, they can email lyndsey.shorrock@fyldeandwyreccg.nhs.uk.
- NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is the organisation responsible for planning and buying health services in the area to meet patients’ needs. This is known as ‘commissioning’.
- Led by family doctors (GPs), the CCG currently serves a population of 152,000 people across approximately 320 sq km of coast and countryside. The majority live in the urban towns of Fleetwood, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham and Lytham St Annes, but a significant proportion live in rural villages.
- The CCG receives a set amount of money from the government and is committed to spending this wisely for the benefit of local people.
- Giving you more choice is a priority of the modern NHS. More information is available at fyldeandwyreccg.nhs.uk/choice
- The NHS Constitution sets out your rights as an NHS patient: nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Pages/Overview.aspx
- There are many ways to get involved in health service developments, including joining our Influence membership scheme or your practice’s patient participation group.
For more information about the CCG and how to get involved log onto www.fyldeandwyreccg.nhs.uk