Patient and public involvement (PPI)
Patient Panel
The trust has a group of local people who volunteer their time and skills to work with us on improving the experience for all patients. Members of the Patient Panel have recent experience as a patient or as a carer.
The Patient Panel meets monthly to discuss the trust’s services and developments. Departmental heads can give the panel updates on the progress they are making and the challenges they face. In addition, members of the panel sit on various trust committees. They also review policies and patient information leaflets.
Each year our panel members have an important role when we carry out ‘PLACE’ assessments – that is ‘Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment’. They tour the areas scheduled for assessment and complete the assessment forms. It is an audit of whether our sites are comfortable, clean and patient-friendly. It includes a wide range of factors from parking, maintenance and décor to facilities and food.
Members of the panel do not need any knowledge of healthcare. When carrying out any aspect of the role, the members of the panel are there to give a patient’s perspective, so it is important that our panel represents the community we serve. You can make a difference to our patients, carers and relatives by becoming a member of the Patient Panel.
Panel Members
Colin Stodel
Following a period of poor health and involvement with the trust as a patient, Colin wanted to give something back to the system and so joined the panel. He has been Vice Chair of his practice Patient Participation Group, a volunteer Ambassador for Healthwatch Hertfordshire and other patient-centered groups, where his time is spent in engaging with groups of "seldom heard" patients on navigating the NHS and problem solving.
Pauline Dolling
Pauline was employed as an administrator by the trust for 25 years before joining the Patients Panel in 2010.
Pauline has utilised her experience and knowledge of the trust to get involved in special projects, while also representing the Patients’ Panel on several committees, including the monthly site meetings at St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals.
Brendan Henry
Brendan worked in the media industry for over 25 years. He signed up as a volunteer at Watford General Hospital during the pandemic and subsequently joined the Patients Panel in 2022.
Leigh Hutchings
Leigh Hutchings is a longstanding member of the Patients’ Panel. He is highly motivated to ensure the Trust is aware of the experiences and challenges which he and other visually impaired patients face in navigating the system. Lee also leads the Disability Watford group and is a trained Disability Access Auditor.
Frances Kipping
After four years on the Patients’ Panel Frances became Chair during the Covid pandemic, ensuring the panel continued its work digitally and with remote meetings. Frances’ main aim for the panel this year is to focus on how patient-friendly the process is and to identify any ways in which it can be improved. She sits on the Hospital Food Group and works with patient transport provision.
Wendy Wilson
Wendy has volunteered for the trust for over 20 years and has been on the Patients’ Panel since 2011. Wendy likes to spend time on the wards listening to patients and then providing feedback to various departments. On several occasions these conversations have led to funds being made available to improve the patient experience.
If you are interested in joining our panel, or would just like more information, please contact: westherts.patientexperience@nhs.net
