The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System (ICS) is a term for a number of organisations who are working together to meet the needs of the local population within Norfolk and Waveney. These organisations include NHS Trusts, GP Practices, Voluntary Sector and Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils.

The Patient Safety Partner (PSP) role is open to members of the public to work as an advisor to help support the delivery of safe healthcare across the Integrated Care Systems. The level of involvement may vary depending on skills and experience.

We are seeking motivated and interested individuals who are committed to contributing to safe and effective care to enhance patient experience and improve health outcomes.

PSP’s will be renumerated for their work and receive a payment of £75 for a half day (less than 4 hours) and £150 for a full day (more than 4 hours) for their involvement and input. Training required for the role and any preparation time prior and post meetings will be paid, along with expenses incurred as a result of travel related costs. This is in line with the NHS England (2021) ‘Working with our patient and public voices (PPV) partners, reimbursing expenses and paying involvement payments’.

A key part of this role will be attendance at specific committees, groups and boards to support and promote patient safety, providing constructive challenge to ensure system wide learning in the development and implementation of this process. The PSP should ensure that any committee/group of which they are a member considers and prioritises the service user, patient, carer, and family perspective and encourages a diversity of opinions. To ensure this, successful applicants will require the following skills and experience:

• Have had previous relevant experience of being a patient, carer of someone using health and/or social care services or have had a lived experience of a safety event, with the ability to objectively share the learning to enhance quality of care, without causing personal distress.
• Ensure a patient’s voice is heard in key committees and local review forums to advocate on behalf of patients across ICS partner organisations.
• Represent the local population and key communities, in terms of health and social care needs.
• Confident to contribute to discussions in large groups and can critically challenge in a constructive, positive and polite way.
• Able to respect and listen to other points of view and have the ability to accept the decision-making process, understanding this may not always meet their desired outcome.
• The flexibility to work in this role for a minimum of 2 days per month and network across the ICS with other PSPs to co-create a supportive network of learning.

Activities that the PSP may be involved in could include:

• Membership of safety and quality committees whose responsibilities include the review and analysis of quality, patient safety and mortality information.
• Involvement in work that aims to improve health and care outcomes for patients.
• Working with organisational committees/boards to consider how to improve patient safety across the local health and social care system.
• Participation in patient safety incident and investigation oversight groups.

Norfolk and Waveney ICS recognise, value, and support the important role PSP’s will play and welcome their active contributions. We will ensure that PSP’s work collaboratively with quality service leads to promote patient safety and health inclusion.

PSP’s will receive a robust induction and training programme, with regular support from other local PSP’s. Designated support and guidance will be provided to ensure development within the role.

How to apply

Please find below the Patient Safety Partner role description, recruitment pack and Expression of Interest form. To apply, please complete an Expression of Interest form below.

• Expression of Interest form

• Patient Safety Partner Role Description

• Patient Safety Partner Recruitment Pack

• Framework for involving patients in patient safety (NHS England)

If you are interested in applying for the Patient Safety Partner role, would like to discuss further or require help with the expression of interest process then please contact: teresaknowles@nhs.net

Please send completed expression of interest forms via email to teresa.rudling@nhs.net or by posting it to:
Teresa Rudling
Nursing and Quality Team Administrator
Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich, Norfolk NR1 2DH

Please mark envelope ‘Private and Confidential’.