Brent Patient Voice
MEDIA RELEASE
Successful launch of new body to speak for Brent patients
Dr. Michelle Drage – CEO of London-wide Local Medical Committees
“My dream is of a fully patient-centred Health Service.” These were the words of Dr Michelle Drage, CEO of 6,000 GPs in the London-wide Local Medical Committees, as she gave the keynote address to the inaugural meeting of Brent Patient Voice at the Learie Constantine Centre last week. She argued that to realise their full potential as the front line of the NHS, GPs need more time with each patient and less time spent on the computer and box ticking. Dr Drage, who is a long time Brent resident, went on to say that GPs provide an expert medical generalist service that treats the whole person, regardless of age, gender or the nature of the illness.
“To shift care and education out of hospitals to good effect needs the release of resources to underpin primary care. For example moving 10% of money that now goes to hospitals could mean an extra 20% of care delivered in the community,” she suggested. After lively questioning and discussions Dr Drage was thanked for a very sympathetic and thought-provoking address.
Around 80 patients attended the meeting, representing the spectrum of Brent’s diverse community. Feedback in the meeting and from feedback forms was very positive.
Robin Sharp – Interim Chair BPV
Members of the BPV Steering Group who spoke about why they were helping to launch the new body included Lola Osikoya, a church pastor, Iram Yaqub, of One Voice, Nan Tewari, a carer and Chair of Harness Locality Patient Participation Group, Phil Sealy of the Learie Constantine Centre and Irwin Van Colle, former councillor and Chair of the Kingsbury Locality Patient Participation Group. “Although regrettably the Clinical Commissioning Group is abolishing their EDEN patient engagement and equality committee of which some of us were part” explained Irwin, “we want to continue the dialogue about health and social care planning and delivery in an independent way”.
Robin Sharp, Interim Chair, stressed that all individuals and voluntary bodies of patients or working for patients were welcome to join. “We want and need you all” he said.
To join or for more information please email info@bpv.org.uk
For further information on this release please contact Robin Sharp on 0208 969 0381 or at the email address given.
Issued 17.02.2015