FAQs
What is the Service User Panel?
- The Panel is a continuously growing and diverse body of service users, patients and carers who want to make their voices and experiences heard in order to better national health and social care service design, delivery and evaluation so that it reflects what people really want and need
How do people join the Panel?
- Service User Panelists are individuals nominated through National Voices' member organisations or associated networks
- Panelists are 'experts by experience' with a knowledge of, and interest in, how health and/or social care systems work
- Please click on Joining the Panel in the left-hand menu for more information about nominating service users to the Panel
What is the time commitment?
- Involvement is very much at the discretion of the individual - i.e. we inform Panelists of opportunities for involvement coming from our organisation or other external agencies (our member charities or the Department of Health for example), and they pick and choose to get involved when a topic is of interest or they have experience in a particular area
- There is no obligation to attend a certain number of events per year - Panelists choose their involvement level in accordance with their individual circumstances, capacity, capability, availability and personal wishes
- Although face-to-face roundtable meetings are often a great way for Panelists to become informed about and feed in their views on a particular policy development or programme of work taking place, other varied engagement methods such as online/paper surveys and forums are also used
Who is the main contact?
- National Voices' Involvement Co-ordinator is the central point of contact for Panelists and member organisations wishing to nominate individuals to join the Panel
How will Panelists hear about involvement opportunities?
- Panelists receive a regular newsletter entitled 'Service User Voices'. This includes updates on National Voices' work, significant health and social care news, and opportunities for involvement in our work and that of partner organisations and the wider health and social care field
- National Voices will endeavour to provide a detailed brief to Panelists about an involvement activity they have elected to participate in, and what is expected of them
Are refreshments provided?
- Refreshments are provided at all events including lunch for all day events. We endeavour to meet all dietary requirements and this information will be requested for all events
What about accessibility issues?
- Venues for events will always be selected bearing in mind any accessibility issues of our Panelists
- Not all activities will involve roundtable discussions, it will be possible to participate in different types of engagement activities including online forums and surveys
What about expenses?
- National Voices reimburses travel expenses for attendance at events - for standard class public transport tickets and fuel by the mile for car travel
- Childcare costs, if agreed in advance, are also paid at a set rate
- Expense forms will be provided at the event, all receipts must be submitted and reimbursements will be made by BACS payment in most cases
For full details on expenses please click here.
