Patient and public voice (PPV) partner application information pack: Programme of care (PoC) member

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in becoming a patient and public voice (PPV) partner with NHS England on one of the National Programmes of Care (PoCs).

NHS England is committed to ensuring that public and patient voices are at the centre of shaping our healthcare services. Every level of our commissioning system needs to be informed by insightful methods of listening to those who use and care about our services. Their views should inform service development and improvement. Our commitment to supporting our PPV Partners is set out in our PPV Partners Policy.

Please read this application information pack before completing the application form for this role, to ensure you fully understand the application process, and to determine whether you have the skills and time to become a PPV Partner on a PoC.

The closing date for applications is 8 January 2023.

NHS England will reimburse reasonable out of pocket expenses in line with the PPV Partners Expenses and Involvement Payments Policy. This post is a level 4 PPV role which attracts an involvement payment.
Involvement payments may be classed as earnings or income by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs service (HMRC) or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Role 4 PPV Partners will be paid their involvement payments through the NHS England payroll system. The payment will go directly to their bank account. Payments will be subject to statutory deductions including tax and national insurance (NI), although this will be dependent on individuals’ earnings and tax code.

If you are in receipt of state benefits, you should seek advice from the relevant agency, for example JobCentre Plus, ideally in advance of applying and certainly before accepting an offer of a role which attracts an involvement payment, even if you intend to decline the payment.

For further information see the PPV Partners Expenses and Involvement Payments Policy or the PPV Partners Policy.

Please note that correspondence will be primarily via email, unless otherwise requested. If you do not have access to email and would like to be contacted via telephone or post, please state this on your application form.

How to apply

Please read this information pack and then complete and return the following accompanying documents:

Please make sure you note which PoC you are applying for on your application form and return these documents by email to england.voice-crg@nhs.net. If you are applying for more than one role it is necessary to complete separate application forms for each.

If you would like support to enable you to apply for this role, and/or information in another format please contact england.voice-crg@nhs.net.

The deadline for applications is 8 January 2023.

We will rely on the information you provide in the application form to assess whether you have the skills and experience required for this role.

Diversity and equality of opportunity

NHS England values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all. To help us understand if we are achieving this, we ask you to fill out an Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form as part of the application process.

Please let us know if you have support needs so that we can understand how we can support you to participate fully.

Once we receive your application

The steps will be as follows:

  1. We will acknowledge receipt of your application form via email.
  2. Applications will be shortlisted by a panel, including members drawn from the relevant Programme of Care.
  3. Applications will be assessed against the skills and experience outlined in this application pack. Selection will be made on the basis of the content of the application form.
  4. Interviews will take place via video conference.
  5. Please note that two references will be taken up for successful applicants before involvement can commence.
  6. This role does not require Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (formerly known as a ‘Criminal Records Bureau’ (CRB) check’)
  7. All applications will receive a successful or unsuccessful notification. The successful notifications will include information about next steps.

If you wish to be informed about future involvement opportunities, please sign up to NHS England In Touch newsletter, which includes details of current opportunities.

If you have any queries about the application process or would like an informal discussion about the opportunity – please contact england.voice-crg@nhs.net.

Role of programmes of care

NHS England has organised prescribed specialised services, based on an assessment of clinical and service alignment, into clinical Programmes of Care (PoCs). These are: Mental Health, Cancer and Acute, which covers four separate PoCs (Trauma, Women’s and Children, Internal Medicine and Blood and Infection).

The purpose of each PoC is to:

  • Contribute to the development and delivery of strategy and policy objectives, such as the NHS Long Term Plan.
  • Support Regions to commission specialised services which meet population needs and provide consistently high-quality care and excellent patient experience, as part of an integrated care system and patient pathway transformation.

Each PoC comprises clinical and commissioning leadership, supported by a core commissioning team, and principally operates through a network of affiliated Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs) and task and finish groups. The role of the CRGs is to lead the development of clinical commissioning policy, service specifications and quality dashboards, advise on service reviews, conduct horizon scanning and advise on innovation, identify and explore opportunities to reduce clinical variation in healthcare and to deliver value.

We are currently looking to recruit PPV partners on the following PoCs:

Please visit the web page of the PoC you are interested in applying for to understand more about the group, its remit and the associated CRGs.

All the PoCs have been structured to both maximise meaningful PPV and clinical input and minimise duplication. Whilst the PoCs follow the same overall goals and organising principles, there are appropriate flexibilities to enable PoCs to deliver on their specific workplans. Flexibility is a key principle to ensure PoCs have the ability to deliver on each commissioning product and the programme as a whole.
For example, invitees, the frequency of meetings, and how these are held will be determined in accordance with the needs of the PoC and notified to ensure good forward planning and organisation for all members.

PoCs will deliver their responsibilities by:

  • Observing the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the advice they provide.
  • Abiding by the principle of collective responsibility, standing by the recommendations of the Group and not speak against them in public.
  • Being accountable for their activities and for the standard of advice they provide to NHS England.
  • To provide leadership and oversight of the development and delivery of a comprehensive and prioritised work programme for the Programme of Care that achieves demonstrable improvements in the quality, equity, value and outcomes of commissioned specialised services.

What is the role of PPV partners on the group?

PPV Partners use their skills and experience as patients, carers, members of the public or organisational representatives to:

  • Assist the PoC in understanding the diverse perspectives of patients, carers and the public relevant to the work of the group and provide a consumer viewpoint in all group activities.
  • Provide ‘critical friend’ challenge into the group rather than represent a particular condition or interest.
  • Provide strategic assurance that the views of patients and the public have been sought and considered in the work of the PoC and its constituent CRGs.
  • Champion and advocate for increasing patient and public awareness of the programme’s outcomes and achievements.
  • Liaise with PPV representatives in the Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs) covered by that POC; and to communicate to and from these groups in consultation with the PoC leads.

Key responsibilities of the PPV role are:

  • To regularly participate in phone/internet conferences and face-to-face meetings of the Programme of Care and debate issues using email.
  • To prepare for the meetings by reading and reviewing programme plans, papers, proposals and their associated documentation.
  • To take part in workshops or events where participation is helpful for the work of the PoC as agreed e.g. wider network meetings.
  • Where appropriate, communicate with, and seek feedback from, wider patient networks on plans and proposals, drawing on the support of relevant patient groups via the CRGs. However, communicating with wider patient networks is not the sole responsibility of the post holder and they will be supported in this.
  • To raise awareness of unresolved concern with the Chair of the PoC and subsequently following the complaints process if concerns remain unresolved.
  • To identify their support, training and development requirements and seeking appropriate support from PoC members.
  • Comply with the Standards of Conduct, respecting the confidential nature of discussions when it is made clear by the Chair that this is a requirement.

Skills and experience required for this role

Public interest, accountability and knowledge

  • Strong commitment to maintaining a patient focus in the commissioning of health services
  • Understanding of the legal framework and relevant guidance relating to specialised health commissioning
  • Good understanding of public service values and accountability
  • Understanding and interest in specialised health services issues, NHS England and the wider environment in which it operates
  • A commitment to the principles of public life.

Sound judgement, motivation and flexibility

  • Able to absorb complex information and situations before reaching a recommendation
  • Able to display sound judgement and objectivity and understand the need for confidentiality.
  • Open minded and willing to modify thinking in view of new information/discussion
  • Tests and probes constructively to achieve the best outcome for patients
  • Sees the bigger picture and can think and act strategically
  • Able to think clearly and objectively when dealing with emotive issues.

Effective communication

  • Able to communicate and debate with others at all levels
  • Ability to give and receive advice
  • Good interpersonal skills and open to change.

Personal qualities

  • High level of organisation, self-motivation and drive for performance
  • Emotional intelligence and resilience
  • Ability to challenge constructively
  • Personal integrity and commitment to openness, inclusiveness and high standards
  • Independence of mind
  • Ability to work effectively, constructively with senior multi stakeholder colleagues
  • Experience of working in a Committee setting, and prepared to contribute actively to the discussions and work of POC
  • Able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
  • Understanding of the needs of the patient communities related to the remit of the group and commitment to improving outcomes and experiences of care.

Time commitment

  • Membership of the group/committee is for 12 months initially, at which point membership will be reviewed to agree a full term of three years in total.
  • The number of meetings can vary but generally members will be required to attend around one meeting a month and up to one day prior to each meeting to prepare and review papers.
  • Meetings will normally last for a whole working day.
  • Meetings will generally be during working hours, currently via video conferencing.

Support for PPV members

  • NHS England asks that all new PPV Partners complete an interactive online induction session. This webinar lasts an hour and will provide some background information to NHS England and the work that we do as well as wider support available to PPV Partners.
  • You will also receive an induction from the PoC leads and Specialised Commissioning Engagement Team.
  • Meeting documents, and if necessary, pre-meeting briefings will be provided.
  • There are a range of learning and development opportunities available to PPV Partners, details can be found on the Involvement Hub.
  • Completion of several mandatory training courses will be required.

Reimbursement and expenses

Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses incurred in line with NHS England’s PPV Expenses Policy. Expenses usually cover travel, and/or any subsistence requirements that arise. PPV partners should highlight any barriers to participation – please email england.voice-crg@nhs.net to discuss any support requirements that you might have.

There will be an honorarium available to claim of £75 per half day or £150 per day (for those people not representing or supported by an organisation) covering travel time, for an estimated time commitment of up to 24 days per year.

If you have any queries or concerns about whether reimbursement of expenses and involvement payments for public involvement might affect any state benefits you are receiving, please contact the free and confidential service provided through Bedford Citizens Advice Bureau. Specially trained staff, with knowledge of how payment for involvement/expenses might affect state benefits, will be able to give you personal advice e.g. supporting you should you need to make contact with the Department for Work and Pensions, or other benefits agencies about your involvement. You can contact the Benefits Advice Service by emailing involve@bedfordcab.org.uk with a brief summary of your query in the first instance, or, if you prefer, you can call 01234 330604.