Medicine and Emergency Medicine Service User Engagement Panel

The Medicine and Emergency Medicine Service User Engagement Panel provides an opportunity for members of the public, including service users and carers, to give their views on services and be part of the discussion to help shape and improve services for the future.

The focus is on experiences and services across medicine and emergency medicine, which may include emergency departments, inpatient wards, alternative urgent pathways (such as Antrim Direct Assessment Unit), elderly rehabilitation, and frailty units which provide specialist assessment and treatment for older people.

Anyone can join the panel – you do not have to be an expert.

You may be a service user or carer, or simply someone with an interest in improving healthcare. If you have the ability to contribute to group discussions, and would like to share your experience or expertise, we would like to hear from you.

How to join the engagement panel

To express an interest in joining the panel, simply send an email to:

ciara.robb@northerntrust.hscni.net

We will be in touch to arrange an informal chat and will provide you with more information.

Panel meetings

The Medicine and Emergency Medicine Service User Engagement Panel aims to meet every six weeks.

The group is made up of staff, service users, carers, and others with an interest in improving healthcare services.

Meetings will be held either in-person or online, and are chaired by a senior manager from the Trust.

The dates of meetings are agreed at least one calendar month in advance.

Agendas and papers are sent to all panel members one week before the meeting date.

Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, which include travel costs and the payment of replacement care, will be provided to panel members.

Being a part of this panel offers you the opportunity to:

• share your experiences, knowledge, insight and expertise
• raise issues and concerns regarding services
• provide views on proposals and plans
• help inform and shape plans and decision making
• co-design elements of the work, as appropriate

Our main aim is to work with and involve members of the public, service users and carers, as part of our commitment to the ongoing development, design and improvement of medicine and emergency medicine services within the Northern Trust.

Whilst the Trust engages with service users and carers on an ongoing basis, the panel provides an additional opportunity for ongoing involvement and open dialogue on a wide range of topics.