Welcome to the website that supports patients, PPGs, Hospital Patient Panels, and community based Patient Healthcare Groups.
Our members come from all over Herts and West Essex and many have a long history of working with the regional ICB to ensure the patient voice is heard by the NHS decision makers.
Welcome to the Patient Engagement Platform
The Voice of the Patient
The PEP wants to hear from you about the issues that are important to Patients in your Patient Groups. There are many opportunities to provide your healthcare service specific feedback on important Healthcare Developments and Improvement projects happening in our ICB. If you have a message please send it to the Editor@thepatientengagementplatform.org.uk
Why this website?
To tell patients about NHS policy and programmes , how they work, and how they apply to residents. Share best practices and answer patient’s questions. Sharing performance information and key metrics, and act as a pathway for surveys and opinions that will be useful to the NHS. JJ 4/26
Our Aim
The aim of our Patient Engagement Platform is to help the NHS to provide an even better service to patients. We hope to do this by (i) putting patients in touch with one another (ii) liaising with patient groups, such as PPGs and Hospital Patients' Panels (iii) building a PPG network (Iv) making contact with local NHS institutions, such as the ICB Clusters (v) conducting surveys of patients' concerns and issues. All in all, to engage and to represent the "patient voice". JW 4/26
New content and Links
New Healthcare Legislation?
A short history of the patient voice in Hertfordshire and what is the government saying in the new Health Bill?
Hertfordshire Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm Survey
A Virtual Hospital ?
What is “Virtual Hospital” - also known as Virtual Wards or Hospital at Home?
Did you know the NHS has enabled some patients to continue their care in their own home rather than in hospital?
More information and details here.
Read this weeks Blog Page from the East of England senate on Back Pain click here
Access to a comprehensive guide to support services for armed forces veterans.
An update from the NHS on new plans for a single patient record
Lived Experience
One patient’s Cardiology treatment in Herts Mar-May 2026
‘The greatest failing was in his inability to get hold of anyone at the cardiac centre in Watford for almost 2 weeks. He was very impressed by the responses from the surgery via his e-consult requests. His care once he was in Watford hospital was also very good except for the lack of written clear discharge information.’ click here
Share your experience with West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals on June 18th.
Watford General Hospital, Hemel Hempstead Hospital, and St Albans City Hospital
Pre booking is required.
Checking for Prostate Cancer, a BBC News guide click here.
The NHS App, the future of Healthcare?
Read our analysis of the features that are being developed right now, here.
and What did the Doctor Say…..?
On average, patients don't remember up to 80% of what's said in a medical consultation*, and when families rely on a relative's account details can shift with each retelling.
Ditto is a smartphone app that records consultations and produces a plain-language summary patients can save and share with a partner, adult child, or carer. It runs under UK GDPR, supports multiple languages, and is free to use.
Ditto is looking for patients, carers and healthcare professionals to try out the app and tell it what works, what doesn't, and what would make it more useful. Your feedback will directly shape how the app develops to better serve patients in the UK.
To take part, download Ditto from the App Store or Google Play and share your experience directly with the Ditto team in the app (or by email to oli@ditto.care)
*Kessels RPC. Patients' memory for medical information. J R Soc Med. 2003;96(5):219–222.
From the Patient’s Asscn. https://www.patients-association.org.uk/
Explore England's prescribing data
Every month, the NHS in England publishes anonymised data about prescriptions issued by GPs. How to run your own analysis click here
Health Care News
NHS Modernisation Bill. Breaking News.
In preparation for the second reading of the Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 1 June 2026, your intrepid reporter flew into the cloud of abstractions, generalities and vagueness that often surrounds NHS policy making and found an interesting document, some of whose contents he is about to share with you.
The Department of Health and Social Care Policy Paper. Health Bill. Summary. Fact Sheet. Published 19.05.26.
The Bill will abolish NHS England and return many of its powers to the Department of HSC.
Key aim for patient engagement etc.
To "Embed patients at the heart of national decision making by transferring the functions of Healthwatch England to the DHSC, and developing a new patient experience directorate to make the public voice more directly relevant to the formulation of policy."
Presumably, this is what Mr. Streeting meant when he said that patients needed no intermediaries between themselves and the NHS.
Healthwatch was independent. Will the DHSC directorate be an independent champion of patients' needs?
Flying a little further into the surrounding gloom, I found an analysis produced by Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees** which suggested that some Healthwatch functions might be transferred to ICBs and local authorities.
I had hoped to learn more about the Bill by watching the debate on the BBC Parliament Channel (Channel 232) but discussion and debate concentrated on proposals for patient records, all previous proposals for which seem to have had little effect.
As soon as your reporter has discovered more about the Bill, he will share his findings with the PEP
Hot off the Digital Press
THE LATEST ON THE NHS MODERNISASTION BILL aka THE NHS REFORM BILL.
After bringing you the latest news from Stockton-on-Tees**, your intrepid correspondent flew south through ever-darkening gloom, touched down in St. Margaret's Street and, before the security men had time to un-shoulder their Uzzi-45s, dashed through the Norman Gate (believe me, it does exist) and into the Palace of Westminster, from which he emerged clutching a copy of what's actually headed HEALTH BILL!
Under the heading "Secretary of State's Functions" it states that the S of S "Must promote the involvement of patients and their carers and representatives (if any) in decisions which relate to (a) the prevention or diagnosis of illness on the patients, or (b) their care or treatment. in exercising functions in relation to the health service the S of S must consult with a view to enabling patients to make choices with respect to all aspects of health services provided to them."
Nothing much new there. Does the Bill contain anything about patient and public engagement or involvement or representation or similar? If it does, I've not yet found it, perhaps because I've not yet read each of its 200 pages. In case anyone else wants to search, here’s the link. Maybe an AI search will reveal something.
J.W.
THE NHS AND The Hertfordshire PATIENT VOICE.
Over the years, patients have often complained about aspects of the NHS, whether about access to treatment or about actual treatment.
In 2025, it was announced that Health Watch, widely regarded as an independent means for patients to seek redress, was to be abolished.
Just recently. the Local Government Association warned that the abolition of H-W would leave patients with little option but to go directly to the NHS or to local councils.
Some Patient Voice History
For fifty or so years, the NHS supported patient "engagement" or "involvement" or "representation" but did not clearly define what it thinks the terms meant.
Over those fifty years, the NHS had many organisations that were supposed to give patients and public a role within it, but they were often short-lived.
1) Community Health Councils, set up 1974, with specific powers: one third of members nominated by voluntary organisations.
2) 2003 abolished, replaced by Patient and Public Involvement Forums
with specific legal powers, e.g. enter and view, and require information.
members appointed after interview by NHS.
3) 2008 abolished and replaced by Local Involvement Networks, LINKS.
retained power of enter and view and right to request information
tasked with finding the "patient voice".
4) 2013 LINKS abolished and replaced by
Healthwatch, which retained enter and view, and could conduct research, etc, as independent patient voice.
each Clinical Commissioning Group, e.g. the Herts Valleys CCG, had a Patient + Public Committee
latterly, two members attended meetings of the HVCCG Board, able to speak (but not vote) and sit on committees
2023 the CCGs abolished and with them the HVCCG and its Patient + Public Committee.
5) CCGs replaced by ICBs and our Herts & West Essex ICB set up the Patient Engagement Forum (PEF).
2025 PEF told by Paul Burstow (HWE ICB Chair) that it is not a "supervisory" body.
6) 2025 announced that Health Watch is to be abolished.
7) Original ICBs shut down as part of NHS reorganisation and the new Central East Cluster ICB formation leads to demise of the PEF, without providing for a successor
8) Former members of the PEF set up the Patient Engagement Platform (PEP).
It can be seen that the recent trend has been to reduce "patient power".
The Government’s NHS Ten Year Plan floated several ideas.
Amongst many others, it suggested that
"Power will be given to the frontline clinicians and patients" (page 76),
"Strategic authority mayors" will be made "board members for their ICBs" (page 79)
Power will be pushed "out to patients and public" (pages 83 and 84)
- a Choice Charter will enhance the patient voice, patient choice and patient feedback.
- Patients will report back on their treatment to the NHS organisation that gave it
- Patient Power Payments: patients will decide if the full cost of their treatment should be paid.
However, the word "will" was a misnomer; the Ten Year Plan was a plan, not a "done deal".
It deserved to be interpreted in the context of Mr. Streeting's view that there should be no intermediate bodies between patients and the NHS, hence the
impending abolition of Health Watch and the silence of the ICB clusters on the future (if any) of "patient power" in their areas.
What of the future?
We need to check the details of the NHS Modernisation Bill, coming up for its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday 1st June.
Does it seem likely that it will provide for an increase in "patient power"?
We will bring you the news as it breaks. (see above)
JW June 2026
Patient Relevant links to NHS content
NHS Complaints
To complain about NHS services, first attempt to resolve issues directly with the local service provider or through their PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) team. If dissatisfied, escalate to the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) or, finally, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman within 12 months.
Patient Choice
Did you know that in many cases you have the legal right to choose where you have your NHS treatment? The NHS is offering more and more options to enable you to make choices that best suit your circumstances, giving you greater control of your care, and hopefully better results.
What to ask your GP
Whether it is your initial GP appointment, a consultation with a specialist at an outpatient appointment or a mental health assessment there are a few things you can prepare in advance that will help you to get the most out of time with the health professional.
My Planned Care
My Planned Care gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.
This site is updated weekly and can be viewed by anyone, which means you, your family or carer as well as your NHS team can all see the latest information.
Your hospital team will be in touch with you as soon as they can. If you are looking for an update, please check this website before contacting your hospital or GP.
Your NHS Number
How to get one and when to use it.
Neighbourhood Health Centres
Learn more about new facilities to support local patient healthcare.
The Patient Participation Group Support Pages
We are developing tools to help you grow your PPG, improve your communications and help you reach more patients.
Let us know if you would like to post your details and information on this website.
A spreadsheet of all the GP Practices in the New Central East Cluster ICB (April2026)
What is a PCN and how does it work?
Could your PPG be rated as outstanding?
Follow this guide and see how you score.
Learn more about patient support agencies such as the King’s Fund and Healthwatch here
Learn more about our PPG Buddy Programme, get support, and help your PPG develop
Learn more about our PPG Maturity Matrix
A PPG based Continuous Improvement Project to reduce Primary Care Did Not Attend levels (DNAs)
A guide to GDPR for PPGs click here
A useful map of all the PPGs in H&WE . click here
Learn about our the Spring/Summer 2025 PEP Blood Pressure Awareness project in association
with the NHS and the British Heart Foundation
GP PRACTICE PATIENT GROUPS (PPGs) and the PPG NETWORK.
From our guest publication the St Albans and Harpenden Patient Participation Group Newsletter
From 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 the NHS promoted the formation of GP PPGs. It issued documents: “Guidance”, “Creating a PPG – getting started guide”, a “Standard Reporting Template”, and an “Enhanced Service Specification for Patient Participation”, which gave detailed advice to Practices, offering them “…an overall payment of £0.36 per registered patient based on its achievement of the various components…” given in great detail.
The Specification’s “Aims” began “The purpose of … patient participation … is to ensure that patients are involved in decisions about the range, shape and quality of services provided by their practice. It aims to promote the proactive and innovative engagement of patients and carers through the use of effective Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) and to act on a range of sources of patient and carer feedback…” Specific aims followed.
The Herts Valleys Clinical Commissiong Group promoted a West Herts PPG Network, in April 2014 held a public meeting in Hemel, from May to June investigated if Practices had a PPG, and in April 2015 held a public meeting in Chiswell Green. I attended both meetings.
At the second, a representative from Parkfield PPG outlined the features of a good PPG.
Essential. Without the committed support of at least one partner and the practice manager and a core of patients to attend meetings and get things done, the PPG will fail.
Desirable. Someone must be responsible for admin, informing patients that the PPG exists, and recruiting them, probably a member of the practice staff with access to resources.
Activities. Issue a newsletter. Survey patient opinion, with and on behalf of the practice. Discuss patient concerns and complaints with the practice manager. Discuss national NHS issues with the practice.
Campaign on national NHS issues. Raise funds for equipment.
So, why are we now, eleven years later, making another attempt to set up a PPG network? It is said that the GP contract requires practices to have a PPG but that the Care Quality Commission doesn’t insist on it, that some practices see PPGs as a threat to professional independence, or are too busy. When the Clinical Commissioning Groups were abolished, their successors, the Integrated Care Boards were, perhaps, less committed to PPGs and, as of 1 April 2026, the individual ICBs were abolished and replaced by Regional Clusters of ICBs, whose attitude to patient engagement and representation is not yet clear.
Herts patients have taken the initiative to fill the gap. Mike Carn and Justin Jewitt have set up a PPG Network for East and North Herts, and Kevin Minier one in South and West Herts. SAHPG supports their initiative. I wish Justin and Kevin every success and offer them three words of advice: “Keep things simple.” Don’t entangle and frustrate PPGs in committees, paper studies, working parties etc. Do encourage, foster and support them.
JW (Chair SAHPG.) April 2026
The Carers pages
Support for Unpaid Carers
If you provide unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help, you are an unpaid or informal carer. The NHS and its partners recognise the vital role carers play and are committed to supporting your health, wellbeing and ability to continue caring.
Carers Champion at Your GP Surgery or Service
Many GP practices and NHS services have a Carers Champion (sometimes called a Carers Lead). This is a member of staff who:
· Acts as a named point of contact for carers
· Helps ensure carers are identified and supported
· Links with local carers organisations and support services
How to find your Carers Champion
· Ask your GP reception team who the Carers Champion is
· Check your GP practice website or noticeboard for carers information
Availability and roles may vary by surgery or service
Registering With Your GP as a Carer
Why register?
Telling your GP practice that you are a carer means your caring role is recorded on your medical record. This helps your GP team understand the pressures you may be under and offer more tailored support. Common benefits include:
· Being offered flexible or joint appointments (for example, back‑to‑back appointments with the person you care for)
· Signposting to local carers’ support and community services
· Support with your own physical and mental health
· Access to vaccinations and health checks where appropriate
· Help with referrals for a carers assessment, benefits advice or social prescribing support
How to register
You can usually register as a carer by:
· Completing a carers registration form on your GP practice website, or
· Asking at reception for a carers registration form and returning it to the practice
Once registered, the practice can discuss what support may be helpful for you.
The Carers pages contd.
Services for Unpaid Carers
Primary Care (GP and Community Services)
Primary care teams can support carers through:
· GP, practice nurse and healthcare assistant support for carers’ own health
· Social prescribing and health and wellbeing coaching
· Referral or signposting to carers assessments and voluntary sector services
· Adjustments to appointment systems to better suit carers
Acute Care (Hospital and Specialist Services)
Hospital and specialist NHS services aim to:
· Involve carers in care planning and discharge planning (with patient consent)
· Recognise carers’ needs during hospital admissions
· Signpost carers to local support when a person is diagnosed with a long‑term condition or admitted to hospital
Keeping Up to Date
This page will be updated regularly to reflect:
· Changes to NHS or local authority services
· New carers support initiatives
· Events, training and groups for carers
Please check back regularly for the latest information.
Feedback and Getting in Touch
We welcome feedback from carers.
· Good news or positive experiences – tell us what is working well
· Issues or concerns – help us improve carers support and services
Use the feedback link below to share your views or suggestions so we can continue to improve support for unpaid carers.
Contact Editor@thepatientengagementplatform.org.uk
Local and National Support Services
Local Support
· Carers in Hertfordshire – Free advice, information, training, carers groups, mentoring and carers passport scheme for unpaid carers living, working or caring in Hertfordshire. Visit Carers in Hertfordshire
· Hertfordshire County Council – Adult Social Care – Carers assessments, emergency planning, respite support and information on benefits and care options. Hertfordshire carers support
Social Services
· Hertfordshire Adult Social Services – Support for carers including assessments, planning for the future and help arranging care and short breaks. Adult social care in Hertfordshire
Condition‑Specific Support
· MS Society – Information, helplines, local groups and support for people affected by multiple sclerosis and their carers. MS Society support
· Parkinson’s UK – Advice, helplines, local groups and resources for carers of people with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s UK support for carers
· Age UK – Practical and emotional support, carers groups and benefits advice for those caring for older people. Age UK carers support
· Macmillan Cancer Support – Money Advice – Financial guidance, benefits advice and support for carers of people affected by cancer. Macmillan financial support for carers
Do you have questions about Continuing Health Care?
The Carers pages contd.
NHS ReSPECT Form (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment)
The ReSPECT process creates a personalised emergency care plan agreed between you and a healthcare professional. It is widely used across Hertfordshire, including by East & North Herts NHS Trust, GPs, community teams, and the ambulance service.
Purpose
To record your wishes, priorities, and clinical recommendations for emergency situations when you may not be able to express them.
How to Get One Completed
· Step 1 - Arrange a conversation with a clinician
Contact your GP, hospital consultant, or a senior nurse. ReSPECT forms must be completed with a registered healthcare professional.
· Step 2 - Prepare for the discussion
Consider your priorities (e.g., comfort vs. life-prolonging treatment), preferred place of care, and any treatments you would or would not want.
· Step 3 - Clinical discussion and documentation
The clinician records your preferences and their clinical recommendations on the ReSPECT form.
· Step 4 - Sign-off and distribution
You receive the original form. Copies are shared with your GP, community teams, and-if relevant-hospital records and the East of England Ambulance Service.
Key Hertfordshire Contacts
· GP Practices - All Hertfordshire practices support ReSPECT discussions.
· East & North Herts NHS Trust (Lister, New QEII, Hertford County Hospital) - ReSPECT used across inpatient and outpatient services.
All information from either the Office of the Public Guardian, NHS England or from member lived experience.
How ReSPECT and LPA Work Together
· A ReSPECT form guides emergency clinicians on your treatment preferences.
· A Health & Welfare LPA gives your attorney legal authority to make decisions if you cannot.
· Clinicians will consider both documents together when making decisions.
PEP helpful comment
Doing your own LPAs is relatively straightforward and there is no need to use a solicitor or other 3rd party unless you are really stuck, or you want to draft complex ones. It’s worth pointing out that the ‘paper’ versions can be completed online before printing. LPAs can be completed and signed but not registered immediately. They can then be registered at a later date by the attorneys if the doner has lost capacity.
Here is a link to the government webpage here.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) - England & Wales
LPAs are legal documents registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). They allow you to appoint trusted people to make decisions if you lose capacity.
Types of LPA
Health & Welfare - Medical treatment, care decisions, life-sustaining treatment.
Property & Financial Affairs - Money, bills, property, banking.
How to Complete an LPA
Step 1 - Decide your attorneys
Choose one or more trusted individuals. They must be over 18 and mentally capable.
Step 2 - Complete the forms
Forms can be completed online or on paper via GOV.UK. Hertfordshire residents can also seek help from Citizens Advice or local solicitors.
Step 3 - Sign with a certificate provider
A certificate provider confirms you understand the LPA and are not under pressure. This can be a professional or someone who has known you for at least two years.
Step 4 - Get all signatures in the correct order
Donor → Certificate Provider → Attorneys.
Step 5 - Submit to the OPG for registration
Send forms and payment to:
Office of the Public Guardian, PO Box 16185, Birmingham, B2 2WH.
Fees (as of 2026)
£82 per LPA (Health & Welfare and Property & Finance are charged separately)
Fee reductions available for low income; exemptions for certain benefits.
Local Support in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Citizens Advice - Free guidance on completing LPAs.
Age UK Hertfordshire - Support for older residents.
Local solicitors - Can prepare and register LPAs for a fee
The Hospital Patient Panel Support Page
We are developing tools to help you grow, improve your communications and help you reach more patients.
Let us know if you would like to post your details and information on this website.
News from the Patient Panel at the Princess Alexander Hospital
The Patient Panel comprises a group of volunteers who support staff and patients here across the Trust. The members have a wide range of backgrounds which brings a broad spectrum of both personal and professional expertise to the group.
They act as a critical friend and represent the patient voice at senior management meetings. (JT April2026)
Healthcare Surveys
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms : Survey Purpose
The Patient Engagement Platform was asked to help the NHS understand why patients in Hertfordshire were not participating in the nationwide AAA test to the same extent as those in other NHS regions.
Specifically we hoped to understand the following statistics for Herts patients attending for an AAA scan in 2024-25.
•In Herts 82.3% percentage of men tested (Highest South Devon @89.7%)
•In Herts 73.8% of men in the lower deciles 1-3 were tested ( below acceptable threshold). (NHSE 82.2%, highest South Devon at 85.5%)
•In Herts 100% of men with an abnormal scan had their screens reviewed within 21 days.
•In Herts 44.8% of men with a notable aneurysm had a nurse assessment within 12 weeks of the conclusive scan ( the only service to not meet the acceptable threshold). (NHSE 79.9% , best Leicester 100%)
Summary
Over 700 members of the ‘patients and community list’, together with Patient Participation Group members and members of the Harlow Ethnic Minority Umbrella (HEMU) were surveyed.
Harlow (Essex) can be viewed as ethnically diverse with some areas of economic deprivation. Harlow feedback can be seen as a relevant indicator for the low attendance (73.8%) in similarly deprived areas of Hertfordshire.
56 patient responses were received together with extensive comments and observations from HEMU.
Most responses were from patients that had experience of an AAA scan, either personally or a partner/family member.
For more details and survey outcomes click here
Contact Us
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