Specialised Health Services Clinical Reference Groups: Patient and Carer Member Recruitment

NHS England has opened the second wave of recruitment for patient and carer members of its Clinical Reference Groups for 2013/14. For a full list of CRGs who are still recruiting members please follow the link below.  Voluntary sector organisations are well placed to suggest clients and carers they know about with relevant expertise who would be keen to influence development of these groups. Information below (and on https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/application/crg-patient) about involvement in the clinical reference groups, from NHS England:

CRGs are responsible for providing NHS England with clinical advice regarding specialised services, and for promoting equity of access to high quality services for all patients, regardless of where they live. CRGs are also at the forefront of the drive to spearhead innovation, working with clinical leaders, patients and suppliers to identify and promote best practice; scanning the horizon for new treatment approaches; and taking action to improve patient experience and outcomes in the NHS.

This is an exciting time to join a CRG, as they take their place within the new commissioning structures of the NHS. The accompanying Guide to CRGs and Information Pack for Patients and Carers will provide you with more, detailed information about their work; where they sit within NHS England, and what it means to be a patient and carer member of a CRG. If you are interested in applying to be a patient or carer member, you will also find an application form which you can complete online. The closing date for applications for membership is 13 June 2013.

To find out more about becoming a patient or carer member of one of these groups, please go to the following link https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/application/crg-patient where you will find the list of CRGs we are still recruiting to, a Guide to CRGs, an Information Pack and application form.