I am a patient or carer...

The easiest way to get involved is to join your practice's patient group by:

• picking up a form from the surgery
• speaking to one of the reception staff at your GP practice

What will I have to do?

From time to time we will ask your opinion on different issues, usually in the form of a quick questionnaire. We will contact you via email or, if you prefer, by letter.

We promise it won't take too much of your time!

Practice Group members will also have the opportunity to meet with other patients from their surgery, with other Practices and Clinical Commissioning Group representatives through the Newcastle West Patient Forum.

What happens next?

Once you've provided your contact details, a member of the Practice staff will confirm your membership of the group.

After that, the Practice will contact you again to ask for your views on issues affecting the Practice and its patients.

Please note: the Patient Group cannot discuss individual medical concerns. If you have any questions at all about your own health or treatment, please speak to your doctor.

I am a voluntary and community sector organisation...

Newcastle West CCG recognises and values the knowledge and experience of our voluntary and community sector colleagues working within health and social care. Following a call for Expressions of Interest from members of the Voluntary and Community sector in the City, we have three appointed sector members our Board.

Their role is to be a two-way channel for voluntary and community organisations' ideas and concerns, to engage with the wider voluntary and community sector and promote the values and expertise of the sector.

The Newcastle West representatives will attend the community and voluntary sector Open Forum and this is the formal structure through which voluntary and community sector organisations can inform CCG West discussion.

Your representatives are:

• Bev Bookless, Trustee and Vice Chair of Community Action on Health.
• Shamshad Iqbal, Chair - Health and Racial Equality Forum.
• Mandy Taylor, Head of Service - Children North East

As well as having representation on the Board, we may also from time to time ask for your opinion on different issues relevant to your organisation.

If you would like further information, please contact us at the address below.