PDU Standard 6

Patient and Public Involvement.

Click here for Edge Hill University 'Practice Development Unit' accreditation standards.

Click Here for 'Standard 6 Action Plan' (August 2011)

6.1 User and carer groups are actively involved in developments within the Unit.

i) The Head and Neck Practice Development Unit has strong links with a number of user /carer groups.
* Patient & Carer support Group:

* Happy Larry's Laryngectomy Support Group:

* Patient Research Forum:

Tinnitus Support Group:

(ii) These patient groups are playing a big role in the development of services and research at Aintree.
Click here for minutes from the Patient Research Group where discussions on funding early stage research projects has been discussed:

6.2 The views of users and/or carers are sought in the planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of care.

(a) To demonstrate that the views of users are sought regarding their opinion of the services they receive, click here to access the National Cancer Patient Experience Programme 2010 National Survey with regard to Aintree Head and Neck Cancer Services.

Click here to see the patients comments from the National Cancer Pateient experience report 2010. Page 6-13 for H&N.

6.3 Partnerships working with the local community to ensure external views are sought in the planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of care.

(a) In a joint venture with community GP surgeries the Audiology and ENT Depatments have devised an 8 minute consultation walkthrough for community staff assessing patients complaining of Tinnitus symptoms and how they can go about referring them into audiology services. Click here to see the 8 minute plan.

(c)

The head and neck PDU is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles particularly with regard to preventing Head and Neck Cancers. As part of a national programme the unit provides a weeks worh of head and neck cancer awareness events including Drop in clinics in the hospital and in the community. As well as holding evening seminars for community health professionals to assist them in early diagnosis and referral.

Click here to see the evening programme for community staff.

Click here to see the promotional flyer for an afternnon seminar directed at head and neck staff.

Click here for the programme of the afternoon Head and Neck Cancer Seminar

6.4 Staff within the unit actively encourages healthy lifestyles.

(i) The Head & Neck Practice Development Unit has been highly active in Head and Neck Cancer Awareness. The campaign has included drop in clinics and Seminars for professionals as well as getting the message out to the local media via newspapers / local radio and regional television programmes. (see 6.3)
(ii) One of the main causal factors in head and neck cancer is smoking. The unit is therefore very active in helping to promote No smoking day.

(iii) Another cause of head and neck cancers is the Human Papilloma Virus which can be transferred sexually! The unit has therefore recently started to take part in this health promotion event. Click here for more information on Sexual Health Week.

(iv) Tinnitus awareness week is another health promotion event carried out by the H&N PDU. Click here for a press release from the British Tinnitus Association on the promotion by the Aintree Audiology department of Tinnitus Awareness Week and the 8 minute Tinnitus Consultation.

6.5 The religious practices, cultures and beliefs of users and carers are recognised and respected.

The Head and Neck Practice Development Unit is, like Aintree Hospital commited to recognising and respecting all patients cultures, beliefs and religions.

(a) (b)More evidence of this can be found in the patients case notes which will be available for inspection on the day of the accreditation.

6.6 Equality and Diversity is actively promoted with the Unit.

(i)Many patients accessing the services in the head and neck Unit require assistance with translation.
The Head and Neck Practice Development Unit follows Trust policy with regard to accessing Interpretation & Translation Services.

6.7 The PDU adopts best practice and acts as a role model, valuing and promoting patient privacy, dignity, respect, equality and diversity.

(i)The PDU philosophy highlights our commitment to dignity, respect, equality and diversity. Click on the link for the PDU Philosophy.

(ii)Health care records will be assessed on accreditation day as evidence of our commitment.
(iii)The Patient Support Groups and how they interact with our staff and services are also evidence of our patient centred values.

(iv) The website also has numerous examples of patient stories about their conditions and treatments. Click on the links for audio and video stories.


(v) The Online Forum provides patients and carers with the opportunity to discuss matters with people who are in or have been in similar situations.
Click here for a message from the H&N Patient support group on using the forum.

(vi) The H&N PDU holds two yearly international Head & Neck Oncology Quality of Life Conferences. Click here for information about this years conferenceand specifically the Friday afternoon 'Patient & Carer Perspective'.

6.8 Patient/carer information relating to the speciality and to the practice development unit is available.