The General Health Theme Group is led by Malcolm Rainbow and primarily covers the health services provided in the community. With the development of services to localities, most activity is carried out by local groups of which at present there are:

St Albans Patient Group               Contact   Doreen Bratby via Nuray Ercan
Dacorum Patients Group
Watford and 3 Rivers

The LINk is keen to establish groups  in other areas and will provide help.

A topic currently being actively pursued:

Hertfordshire LINk has been working with the Choose and Book team in NHS Hertfordshire. They have provided us with comparative data on the utilisation of choose and book in GP surgeries within Hertfordshire between 2010-2011.

• The first part of the project involved informing patients/members of the rights they are legally entitled to with regards to choice and choose and book enabling them to discuss choice with their local GP surgeries. It included a questionnaire which encouraged PPGs to complete. 
• The second part of the project involved emailing seven NHS Trusts asking what appointments they are providing on the system and what they are holding back. This is very detailed information and so far responses have been received from West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust, East & North Hertfordshire Hospital Trust and Addenbrookes. We await responses from Buckingham Health Care Trust, Princess Alexandra, Luton and Dunstable and Barnet and Chase Farm.
• Currently Herts LINk is circulating a short questionnaire to all GPs in Hertfordshire (133 in total) to ascertain their policies and practice of offering ' patient choice'. To date 56 responses have been received.    

Get Involved - Have Your Say
If you are interested in being involved with this Theme Group or would like more information please contact Nuray Ercan on 01707 275978 or email her at nuray.ercan@shaw-trust.org.uk