Opportunities to become involved
Belfast Trust aims to improve services through meaningful involvement with patients, service users, family cares and
communities. In addition to being involved in your own care or treatment, or that of the person you care for, the following
opportunities for involvement exist. If you decide to become involved you are eligible to claim out of pocket expenses.
Opportunity for
Who should be involved?
Involvement
Trust Board Meetings The Trust Board holds approximately
six meetings in public each year.
Details of the Board members, the
meeting dates and Board Minutes are
available at
www.belfasttrust.hscni.net/about/Trus
tStructure.htm
The DHSS&PS appoints nonexecutive directors, with the approval
of the Minister for Health, Social
services and Public Safety.
What is the
Who do I contact for more information?
commitment?
Meetings are held Marion Moffett, tel. 9504 0115
on the second
[email protected]
Thursday of the
month at 10am
and anyone can
attend.
Opportunity for
Involvement
Public Consultations
Who should be involved?
The Trust welcomes comments from
anyone on public consultations
What is the
commitment?
One-off comment
or meeting
Who do I contact for more information?
All consultations are advertised in the local press
and are on the Trust’s website at
www.belfasttrust.hscni.net/about/Consultations.htm
If you would like to be added to the consultation
list, please contact Lesley Jamieson on 9504 8734
or email [email protected]
PPI Standing Forum
This is an open forum
which can be attended
by any service user,
family carer or simply
with an interest in the
work of the Trust
The Trust’s Standing Forum will meet 2 meetings per
twice per year. There are clear terms year
of reference and the Forum has a role
in planning and monitoring PPI
activity within the Trust
For further information contact Sandra McCarry,
Senior Manager for Community Development and
PPI, tel. 9504 6739
[email protected]
Carers Reference
Group
This group works to
raise the profile of
carers and promote
partnership working
between carers and
BHSCT staff at all
levels
To apply to become a member of this
group people must be
 18 years of age
 The current carer of an individual
who uses Belfast HSC Trust
services
 Entitled to a carers assessment
For further information contact Sandra McCarry,
Senior Manager for Community Development and
PPI, tel. 9504 6739
[email protected] or
Margaret McDonald, Carers Co-ordinator,
tel. 9504 6702
[email protected]
Lynne Calvert, Carers Co-ordinator,
tel. 9504 6108
[email protected]
Meets every 6-8
weeks
Opportunity for
Involvement
Maternity Services
Liaison Committee
This is a forum for
maternity services
users and those who
work with them, to
represent the views of
mothers to the Trust.
The aim is to work
together to design and
improve services in
response to the needs
of women.
Who should be involved?
Any users of the service and
representatives of support
organisations of service users, such
as Sure Start
What is the
commitment?
Meets every 8
weeks
Who do I contact for more information?
If you have an interest in maternity care and would
like to join this group, please telephone
Opportunity for
Involvement
HIV Service User
Forum
The HIV Service User
Forum will provide a
platform for
partnership working
and engagement
between Trust
services, service users
and relevant support
agencies in order to
improve services
Who should be involved?
All current service users of BHSCT
HIV services
Gynae Service Users Any current users of gynaecological
Forum
services in Belfast HSC Trust
To provide a user
perspective in the
development of service
plans, policies,
procedures, guidelines
and pathways and
develop a gynae
network, to highlight
good practice, make
recommendations for
improving services and
develop links with
other relevant groups
and organisations
What is the
Who do I contact for more information?
commitment?
Meetings are held [email protected]
approximately 5
times a year
Meetings are held If you are interested in becoming involved please
approximately 4
contact Esther McCartney, tel. 9504 7321
times a year
[email protected]
Neurology Patient
and Carer Forum
This forum provides
opportunities for
regular and detailed
engagement for
patients and families
who access the
Neurology Service.
Furthermore, the
Forum provides input
regarding Neurology
and Neurodisability
services from a client
perspective across
Northern Ireland. It
helps to inform
services planning
within BHSCT and
within the voluntary
sector.
All service users and their family
carers
Meets every three For further information contact Sandra McCarry,
months
Senior Manager for Community Development and
PPI, tel. 9504 6739
[email protected]
Gender Identity
Service User Panels
This service currently
engages through oneoff panels on specific
issues of service
review or service
development.
Any current users of the Gender
Identity Service (Brackenburn Clinic)
– service users are contacted once a
year and asked to put their names
forward for these panels
As and when
issues arise
Please contact the Gender Identity Clinic at tel 028
9063 8854
[email protected]
Mental Health
Current and ex-service users and
As agreed
Martin Daly, Service User Consultant, tel 028
Services Interview
Panels
carers participate in interview panels
for staff appointments. BHSCT
interview training is a requirement
95047 693, [email protected]
Involvement in staff
induction in Mental
Health Services
Service users, peer advocates and
carers, supported by staff, input into
staff inductions in Mental Health
Services, relating their experience to
improve understanding of patient
needs
As agreed
Martin Daly, Service User Consultant, tel 028
95047 693, [email protected]
Co-design and codelivery of Recovery
College courses
Peer advocates and carers co-design
and co-deliver courses with Mental
Health Services staff for the Belfast
Recovery College
As agreed
Helen Anderson, Manager of the Recovery
College, tel. 02895046985,
[email protected]
Community Mental
Health Management
meetings
Service users and ex-service users
attend the monthly management
meetings, supported by peer
advocates from e.g. CAUSE
Once/month
CAUSE, 393 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 2LS
Tel: 028 90 650 650