Patient Organisations

The following are websites I have found useful...

The Patients Association

The Patients Association is an independent charity that highlights the concerns and needs of patients. The Association advocates for greater and more equitable access to high-quality, accurate and independent information for patients; to reduce health inequalities by helping patients to be better informed and by campaigning for patients to have the right to be involved in decision-making.

National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP) 

NAPP has over 30 years experience and expertise in promoting, supporting and developing Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) and has developed a full range of resources that can support practices and PCT's in implementing this contractual Patient Participation requirement.

National Voices 

National Voices is the coalition of national health and social care organisations that ensures a strong voice for all those who come into contact with the NHS and care services, and for the voluntary organisations that work for them.

Regional Voices

In each of the nine English regions there is a network which champions the engagement of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in regional policy and strategy. They develop and support the contribution of the sector to regional progress and raise awareness and understanding of the sector’s roles. This is a separate organisation to National Voices.

Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership 

The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) was established in April 2008 to promote quality in healthcare, and in particular to increase the impact that clinical audit has on healthcare quality in England and Wales

Patient Advice and Liaison Service Network  

The National PALS Network is a membership organisation for people who work in the Patient Advice and Liaison Services of the NHS in England. On this page you can find out about the members' newsletter and link to a page from which you can download copies.

The Care Quality Commission 

CQC regulates care provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies and voluntary organisations. We aim to make sure better care is provided for everyone - in hospitals, care homes and people's own homes. It is interested in hearing people’s views of their care.

Healthwatch

HealthWatch England is being proposed as a new “independent consumer champion for health and social care. Its aim will be to achieve the systems described in the Government’s NHS white paper where: patients are at the heart of everything the NHS does.

Local Involvement Networks Exchange - LINks

The LINks exchange (LX) is a web resource to help support Local Involvement Networks (LINks) talk to one another and share best practice. Funded by the Department of Health, the LX enables members to access LINks programme information and guidance, share knowledge and experience.

Patient UK 

Patient UK was first launched in 1997 by PiP (Patient Information Publications). It started as a directory of UK websites which provided information of health, disease and related issues.

Patient View 

PatientView is an independent, global, research-and-publishing organisation that works closely with patients and health and social campaigning groups worldwide.

User Involvement in Voluntary Organisations Shared Learning Group

This is a Shared Learning Group for people who work in national voluntary organisations who have lead responsibility for service user and carer involvement.

OTHER NATIONS

Wales: Community Health Councils 

Community Health Council (CHC) work to enhance and improve the quality of local health services. These are the statutory and independent voice in health services provided throughout Wales.

Scotland: Scottish Health Councils

The Scottish Health Council was established in April 2005 to promote Patient Focus and Public Involvement in the NHS in Scotland. By ensuring that NHS Boards listen and take account of people's views, we can achieve a "mutual NHS" - where the NHS works in partnership with patients, carers and the public.

Northern Ireland: Patient and Client Council (PCC) 

The overarching objective of the PCC is to provide a powerful, independent voice for patients, clients, carers, and communities on health and social care issues

INTERNATIONAL

European Patients' Academy

The "European Patients' Academy on Therapeutic Innovation" (EUPATI) will provide scientifically reliable, objective, comprehensive information to patients on pharmaceutical R&D. It will increase the capacity of well-informed patients to be effective advocates and advisors, e.g. in clinical trials, with regulatory authorities and in ethics committees.

European Patients’ Forum (EPF)

EPF is the umbrella organisation of pan-European patient organisations active in the field of European public health and health advocacy.

International Association of Patient Organisations (IAPO)

IAPO is a unique global alliance representing patients of all nationalities across all disease areas and promoting patient-centred healthcare around the world.