The Live Wire

Patients and carers

Patient and Carer Network (PCN)

A Patient Involvement Unit (PIU) was established at the College in September 2003 and reflects our commitment to making the involvement of patients, carers and the public a priority. The main aim of the PIU is to encourage and promote patient, carer and public involvement in College activities. It does this through the Patient and Carer Involvement Steering Group and the Patient and Carer Network.


The Patient and Carer Involvement Steering Group operates at a strategic level and assists with the development of overall College policy in respect of improving clinical standards for the benefit of patients, carers and the public. The Steering Group has a membership of 12 (6 lay and 6 College staff).


The Patient and Carer Network consists of approximately 70 patients, carers and members of the general public from a range of backgrounds and across a wide geographic spread. The Network was created to ensure that the interests of these groups are fully integrated in the work of the College.


Network members wish to help the College develop and enhance its relationship with patients in the interests of improving healthcare. The College is able to draw on this wide pool of skills and knowledge, derived from professional and personal experience, which provides a valuable insight into the needs of the communities in which Network members live, thus better informing our work.


Patient and Carer Network members undertake a number of activities including membership on College working parties and committees, providing comment on consultation documents and taking part in visits to hospitals to assess training and clinical services.


The Patient Involvement Unit acts as the focus point for the Network to bring to the College’s attention patient and carer issues, and is a means by which patients, carers and the public can communicate with the College to identify their needs and influence the College agenda.


You can find further information about our work with patients and carers at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/patientcarer.asp.


If you have any specific questions about the Network please contact Nicole Barlow. Email: Nicole.Barlow@rcplondon.ac.uk or by telephone 020 7935 1174

Royal College of Physicians

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