Q&A with the Citizens’ Panel
About the Citizens’ Panel
The Citizens' Panel have covered much ground since it was established in January 2018.
We are pleased to have recruited panel members from each area of the region: Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Members have been with us for varying lengths of time as we have continued to recruit to the panel over the year as we endeavour to ensure it is representative of our region.
As we near the end of 2018 we take this opportunity to hand over to our members to hear about their highlights from their panel involvement and if they have any new year’s resolutions or ambitions.
We hope you enjoy hearing from our members. As ever if you’d like to find out more about the Citizens’ Panel visit our website or contact Katy Hyde our Engagement Manger via email: katy.hyde@nhs.net or telephone: 0114 3054637.
John, Doncaster
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: Getting to know more and more about the hospital services review and its implications for the citizens’ of South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. We’re received excellent training delivered by Tom Read and his co-production colleagues. I’m grateful for all the learning opportunities being a member of the Citizens’ Panel brings.
Q: Do you have any New Year’s ambitions/resolutions?
A: To continue to develop inter-personal confidence, with ongoing help and training via my panel membership.
Mary from Bassetlaw
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: One particular highlight was going to ‘Sight and Sound’ in Rotherham as part of the Hospital Services Review conversations. People who attend this group have both hearing and visual disabilities some profound. I thoroughly enjoyed this engagement event; the people were so enthusiastic to be given the opportunity to share their views. The group have rarely been involved in engagement activities so it was great to feel that a group with so much to communicate were given the opportunity to be listened to. It was a very rewarding morning.
Q: Do you have any New Year’s ambitions/resolutions?
A: Given my recent ill health period I wish to just be happy and healthy in life. Severe ill health changes your perspective on life and through the NHS I’ve been given a second chance.
Mohammed, Rotherham
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: I’ve enjoyed getting involved and being a voice for the BME community. It’s been a highlight to look at potential changes whether they are different ways of working and standardising policies and procedures in a positive way.
Q: Do you have a New Year’s resolution/ambition?
A: A New Year’s resolution would be to make changes that benefit patients.
Fiona, Doncaster
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: Being part of the Citizens’ Panel has been a great experience in 2018. I have enjoyed working with the cross-section of panel members and the NHS professionals from a range of disciplines on the Working Together on Hospital Services and the 569million reasons medicines campaign.
My involvement has provided me with a fascinating insight into the challenges faced by the health service. I feel our feedback has been listened to and it is very satisfying to have been able to contribute towards shaping local plans.
Q: Do you have any New Year’s ambitions/resolutions?
A: In recent months I’ve completed the couch to 5K challenge. I hope to continue with my running and to complete a parkrun.
Joan, Bassetlaw
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: 2018 has been a busy and challenging time to be part of the Citizens Panel. I do not come from a medical background and have sometimes struggled with the acronyms used in NHS everyday language. On a positive note I like to feel that I enter each meeting as a representative of the patients, carers and in some cases the staff.
I have been involved in the Orthopaedics Pathway for hip and Knee Replacements. I especially wished to be included in this, as I have first-hand knowledge of both these procedures. I felt that my experiences and suggestions could be helpful and found the Workshops very positive. Best practice was discussed in a positive way, with all areas being willing to implement this in their areas. Virtual Clinics were explained, making savings and freeing up Doctors and staff for more urgent duties. My opinions were listened to and questions answered.
Q: Do you have any New Year’s ambitions/resolutions?
A: To get out more in my newly acquired Motorhome in the spring. Drive to Spain with my little dog and enjoy some sunshine and Paella.
Brenda, Barnsley
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018 and why?
A: It has been an interesting first six months as a citizen panel member. I was not sure what to expect.
But the role has enabled me to participate in a number of ways and I feel my contributions have been appreciated, making it feel like a worthwhile and valued role.
In my six months, representing the citizens’ panel, I have participated in a procurement process, and along with other citizen panel members have sat in on a number of presentations from a variety of NHS staff members outlining proposals to address some of the challenges across various services.
It has been pleasantly surprising to see some of the citizen panel challenges and suggestions taken on board, for example presentations modified and requests for more details provided.
Q: Do you have any New Year’s ambitions/resolutions?
A: As Christmas and the New Year rapidly approaches I wonder what 2019 will bring? I tend not to make New Year’s resolutions, as in the past I have pretty much forgotten them come the end of January.
Hazel, Bassetlaw
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: It has been a pleasure working with people from completely different backgrounds, and with different experiences. While I have a health background, working with people without has helped me to better understand the challenges of communicating quite difficult concepts to lay audiences.
Q: Do you have any New Year’s ambitions/resolutions?
A: I've given up making New Year resolutions! I never seem to manage to keep them, and that feels like failure - so I don't do it anymore!
Abigail, Sheffield
Q: What are the highlights of your Citizens’ Panel work from 2018?
A: I really enjoy being able to represent the student population of Sheffield. Being presented with different possible outcomes and discussing strengths and weaknesses of them in small groups in order to come to the best possible solution is very rewarding. A highlight of this year was attending a public meeting and talking about what the panel involves.