Press Release
CPPIH welcomes positive move to end PPI uncertainty
15 February 2006
The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) applauded yesterday’s announcement by Health Minister, Rosie Winterton that an expert panel is to be established to conclude her Department’s long running review of patient and public involvement.
The CPPIH, which the Department of Health has identified as a key witness to the panel, has recently voiced its criticism over the time taken to conclude the PPI Review – which has left 5,000 PPI Forum Members in uncertainty for more than 18 months.
CPPIH Chair, Sharon Grant commented:
“Greater accountability within the NHS has never been more needed or wanted. While the recent White Paper talked about “putting people in control” in health, the detail was missing. This is a long overdue announcement and we look forward to fully engaging in this vital process.
The experience and insight that the CPPIH has gained throughout its short life has made us unique participants and expert witnesses to involvement and accountability within the NHS and therefore, along with PPI Forum Members we welcome the opportunity to shape the future.”
Note to Editors
For more details, please call the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, tel: 077932 45097 or 0845 1207111.
PPI Forums began operation in December 2003 after almost 5,000 volunteers were recruited to the 572 Patient and Public Involvement Forums. There is a Forum for every NHS Trust, Primary Care Trust, and Foundation Trust in England.
Forums gather views about health services and make recommendations, influencing NHS services. They monitor the quality of local services, and look at how wider issues such as social care, transport or housing affect health.
The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health is an independent, non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Health. Its remit is to ensure that the public is involved in decision making about health and health services. The Commission has its National Centre in Birmingham with nine Regional Centres across England.
The Government originally announced the abolition of the CPPIH and changes to the support for PPI Forums in July 2004. In August 2005 the Government changed these plans, postponing the abolition of the CPPIH and promising a strategic review with results to be published in this White Paper.
The Commission and the 5,000 Forum members currently await guidance on their future.
Disappointingly there is still no detail on how the Government plans to build on the substantial work being done by these 5000 public volunteers to achieve this vital, strengthened public voice.
Details of the CPPIH's work are on our website www.cppih.org
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