People in Clackmannanshire are being invited to hear how NHS Forth Valley is putting patients first. The programme is part of a Scottish Government initiative, known as ‘person-centredness’ which aims to give patients the best care and treatment, geared to their own individual needs.

Already there are 80 patient experience champions across Forth Valley. These are made up of front line staff and members of the patient panel, and the champions use a variety of methods to collect information. Each week for example, five patients in each ward complete a patient experience questionnaire which provides ‘real time’ information and gives staff the opportunity to respond to any concerns raised. Feedback is also collected via talking mats, digital stories and focus groups.

NHS Forth Valley Director of Nursing Professor Angela Wallace said: “We are committed to placing the quality of patient care, especially patient safety, above all other aims. We want to involve patients in discussions and communicate care plans. We want to ask every patient what matters to them, and what information they need. We need to engage, empower and hear patients and carers at all times.”

NHS Forth Valley has already begun implementing the new programme. Big changes have already been made in visiting hours with most wards now open between 11.30am and 8.00pm. Patient comments and suggestions are being posted on notice boards along with details of changes made in response to feedback, and learning is also discussed at a number of senior meetings.

There will be a chance for Clackmannanshire people to find out more about the work underway to capture the experiences of patients across NHS Forth Valley and provide their own feedback at the next NHS Forth Valley Public Partnership Forum meeting which will take place at Bowmar Community Centre, Scott Crescent, Alloa, FK10 1BT on Tuesday September 16 2014. The informal discussions will take place between 7.00pm and 9.00pm.

If you require crèche facilities, interpreter services or have any other special requirements, please contact Jessie-Anne Malcolm. Tel 01324 614660 or e-mail Jessie.malcolm@nhs.net