National Voices was created to bridge the gap between policy makers and health and social care service users. It has a broad and diverse membership of voluntary sector organisations and aims to ensure that the needs of those affected by government policy are fully integrated in policy development. We have also established a service user panel that is representative of people with a variety of conditions, which informs the organisation's policy.
- Why is it important for patient voices to be heard?
We believe that user involvement is vital for all modern public services because it provides a mechanism for holding public services to account. Success in health and social care cannot be achieved without a link between the services and the citizens that use them.
- How is National Voices engaging children and young people?
National Voices and NCB will hold an event this month to learn about the experiences, wishes and views of young people in shaping health policy, to obtain young people's ideas about how National Voices could involve young people effectively in their work, to demonstrate to National Voices how young people can be consulted about key areas of health and social care policy, and to hear young people's views on the issues raised in the Big Care Debate. It will involve young people sharing their own experiences in shaping health policy, and informing us of what is needed to help more young people get involved.
- For further information visit www.nationalvoices.org.uk. To learn more about the joint NCB/National Voices event, contact apenny@ncb.org.uk
