Patient Safety Partners

Patient Safety Partner Role Description

 

Role Title:

Patient Safety Partners

Base:

Great Western Hospital

Grade:

Volunteer

Reporting to:

Patient Safety and Risk Matron

Vision:

 

We are committed to involving our patients, families and carers in the work that we do.  We know that the people best placed to comment on our services are those who use them, and we recognise the importance of listening and learning from direct patient experience.

 

Objective:

 

Patient Safety Partners is a new national initiative to involve patients, carers and families in compliance and monitoring of safety issues within GWH, providing challenge to ensure learning and work improvement takes place. PSPs will be actively involved in the design of safer health care at all levels across our organisation.

 

Our Values

Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do.  You can expect to see them in the way we act and the way we treat each other.  Our values make us who we are.

Service                We will put our patients first

Teamwork         We will work together

Ambition          We will aspire to provide the best service

Respect              We will act with integrity

Main Purpose of the role

A patient safety partner (PSP) is actively involved in the design of safer healthcare at all levels in the organisation. PSPs are patients, carers, family members or other lay people (including NHS staff from another organisation working in a lay capacity) who are recruited to work in partnership with staff to influence and improve the governance and leadership of safety within an NHS organisation.

Main Responsibilities and Duties

 

  1. Sitting on relevant groups to support compliance, monitoring and how safety issues should be addressed.

 

  1. Providing appropriate challenge to ensure learning and change.

 

  1. Input with the development and implementation of relevant strategy and policy.

 

  1. The PSP should ensure that any group of which they are a member considers and prioritises the service user, patient, carer, and family perspective and champions a diversity of views.
  2. The PSP will need to comply with relevant policies and maintain strict confidentiality in respect to discussions and information when required.
  1. To attend PSP support meetings and training events.

 

  1. Support and guide new PSPs where required.

 

  1. Take part in PSP networks to receive peer support and share learning.

 

  1. Report any safety incidents to staff.

 

  1. Understand individual patients’ needs, consideration for cultural and religious requirements.

 

  1. Report any environmental factors that may contravene health and safety requirements.

 

  1. Attend induction and regular mandatory training.

Flexibility

Due to the trust’s commitment to safety and continuous improvement, it is likely that the role will evolve over time. These duties will be subject to review; any amendments will be made in consultation and agreement with the PSP.

Training

    Requirement to be trained in patient safety when needs are identified, and training is available.

Benefits of being a volunteer

As a Trust Patient Safety Partner, you will be entitled to the following benefits:

 

  • Reimbursement of travel expenses
  • Free refreshments during your shift
  • Free Parking on site
  • Access to Staff support services
  • Access to various NHS discounts

 

 

 

Person Skills/Experience

 

Role Title:

Patient Safety Partner (PSP)

Base:

Great Western NHS Foundation Trust

 

The following criteria will be assessed from information provided on your completed application form, during the shortlisting and assessment process, and by your referees.

 

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

STAR Values

We will expect your values and behaviours to reflect the STAR Values of the organisation:

Service - We will put our patients first

Teamwork - We will work together

Ambition - We will aspire to provide the best service

Respect - We will act with integrity

 

 

Education, Qualifications and Training
  • Literate and Numerate (5 GCSE grade C or
  • above or equivalent)
  • Computer literate (a working knowledge of word, outlook and internet usage)
  • Previous training related to patient safety

 

 

 

Experience
  • Understanding of and broad interest in patient safety.
  • Ability to provide a patient, carer, or lay perspective and to put forward views on behalf of the wider community/groups of patients (not own opinion only).
  • Experience of championing health improvements; able to be a critical friend.
  • Ability to communicate well in writing and read comprehensive reports.
  • Confidence to communicate well verbally with senior leaders about strategic issues, as an advocate for patient safety.
  • Sound judgement and an ability to be objective.
  • Experience of working in partnership with healthcare organisations or programmes.
  • Previous volunteering experience in patient safety

 

Knowledge and Skills

 

Ability to understand and evaluate a range of information and evidence.

  • Interaction with multiple stakeholders
  • Sound judgement and an ability to be objective. Personal integrity and commitment to openness, inclusiveness, and high standards.

 

  • IT and internet skills

 

 

Other

Job-Related Requirements

 

 

  • Adhere to the principles of the PSP agreement.
  • Inform relevant person if unable to attend meetings or undertake any other identified activities.