How you can get involved
We believe that patients and public are key to the decision making process. Because of this, we want to encourage local people to get involved and give their views on health services in their area.
There are a variety of ways in which you can contribute to and influence the way we plan, develop and deliver our services across County Durham.
Depending on the nature of a project the CCG may hold open public events or approach individuals directly within a particular service for their experiences, invite people to a specific focus group or share open questionnaires online. The diagram on the ‘Engagement Projects’ further down this page shows examples of the range of approaches and groups that the CCG may include.
All GP practices have their own practice participation group. If you would like to join, then please contact the practice manager at your local surgery for more information.
The CCG also has specific groups that meet regularly with patients such as the ‘Patient Reference Group‘ which you can find out more about on this site.
Other ways to get involved
Social Media
We also post information, updates and opportunities to get involved on our Facebook page and Twitter profile. To keep updated with the latest information about the CCG coming directly to you, through the following ways:
Facebook – simply like our Facebook page to see the latest news, event and opportunities to get involved or Twitter – you can follow our profile as an alternative way to keep up to date.
Our strategy and further information about our team will be available on this page in due course.
Current conversations
At any one time the CCG have a number of engagement projects they are involved in. Further information will be available here soon.
Patient Reference Groups ( PRGs)
Patient Reference Groups provide an opportunity for patient representatives to influence the design and delivery of health care services across. Further information will be available here in due course.
Consultations and previous conversations
When large services changes are being made the CCG may need to carry out a formal public consultation. To find out more about consultations please see our legacy section.
Governing Body
This is a forum where all senior decisions for our organisation are made. Our governing body meetings are open to the public. You are welcome to observe and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Meet the Governing Body team.
My NHS
If you’re interested in your local NHS and would like to get involved in the work we do to develop and improve local health services, then you could join the My NHS public membership scheme. Learn more about My NHS.
The membership scheme is a way for people in County Durham to stay up to date with what is happening in their area regarding local health service decision making through the contracting, re-directing and decommissioning of health provision. The starting point for most people is to join the free membership scheme which has three types of membership.
Please see below the three types of membership you can opt for:
Type 1– Members receive regular information about health services, issues and decisions in their geographical area through an electronic bulletin. Members will receive information about health and social care needs and aspirations that have been identified and issues that have been presented and solutions to these issues.
Type 2– Members will receive regular information about health services, issues and decisions in their geographical area through an electronic bulletin but have the additional opportunity to shape and influence what services are needed and brought into their area for the public, patients and carers by attending focus groups, meetings etc. These members will be engaged and consulted in relation to public decisions on priorities and strategies.
Type 3 – Members will be an advocate for type 1 and 2 members, feeding their views to the Public, Patient and Carer Engagement (PPCE) Subcommittee and ensuring that the voices of all communities of County Durham are represented to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). They also hold the CCG to account ensuring the CCG deliver on their legal and statutory duties with regards to engagement.
NHS England
Become involved in the work of NHS England
Here you will find information on the Patient and Public Voice (PPV) Partners Policy which sets out how NHS England supports PPV partners to be involved in its work. PPV partners include patients, service users, carers, families and other members of the public who are involved in NHS England’s work in different ways. The policy sets out the support and governance arrangements in place to enable PPV partners to be effective in their roles.
Partners and Hard to Reach Groups
The CCG work closely with a number of partner organisations to ensure we engage with as many people from as many different communities as possible. Here you can find out more about how we work with our partners and hard to reach groups.
Information in Other Languages and Formats
If you would like to receive any information in any other languages, large print, Easy Read or Braille then please contact our communications team on 01642 745401 or email necsu.info-comms@nhs.net.
Accessibility Statement
NHS County Durham CCG has events and opportunities throughout the year which enable local people to become involved in shaping local services.
These can include topic-specific focus groups, workshops and online surveys alongside stands and activities and events throughout County Durham.
The CCG’s Governing Body and Primary Care Committee meetings are open to the public, as is the CCG’s Annual General Meeting.
The CCG is committed to ensuring that any public involvement event it holds caters for the needs of all local people and therefore provides:
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on request
- Hearing loops within event venues
- Wheelchair accessible venues
- Halal / vegetarian catering where possible/ required
- Language interpreters on request
- Papers/ agendas in accessible formats including large print on request