As a North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) Involvement Representative and National Patient Safety Partner for NHS England, I draw on my lived experience as a carer and my background as a retired project manager to support co-production, service improvement and patient safety. Working alongside NHS staff as a valued partner, I help ensure that the voices of patients, carers and families influence the design, delivery and continuous improvement of services.

My involvement includes:

• Co-developing and co-delivering NELFT's Risk Formulation workshop, promoting person-centred and collaborative practice.
• Contributing to and co-facilitating Suicide Prevention and Awareness training to strengthen staff confidence in supporting people at risk.
• Sharing my lived experience through the Multiprofessional Preceptorship Programme to support and inspire newly registered staff.

Support and development: NELFT enables me to contribute effectively through clear communication, practical guidance, ongoing learning opportunities and monthly reflective practice sessions, ensuring I feel supported and valued in my role.

The value of partnership: My experience has shown that services become more compassionate, responsive and person-centred when people with lived experience work in genuine partnership with staff, bringing complementary knowledge, insight and expertise to improve outcomes for everyone.

What does this mean for Patient Safety Partners (PSPs)?

Your role is more than attending meetings. You are a valued partner who can use lived experience, insight and expertise to influence patient safety, improve services, support staff learning and help ensure that care is designed around the needs of patients, families and carers. When supported well, PSPs can be powerful agents of positive change within their organisations.

Follow the link for more information about becoming an involvement representative - Involvement Representative Work | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust