The NHS Cancer Programme exists to improve early diagnosis, survival, quality of life and patient experience for people with cancer. 
They are looking for people from Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to join the forum.
Forum members will:

• help the programme consider and prioritise the needs of people and communities;
• advise on involving people in designing new systems, policies, procedures and guidelines;
• champion the programme’s outcomes within their networks; and
• build links with local communities, people affected by cancer, patient groups, and carers so their views may be reflected.
  

The Forum will meet twice a year, with further opportunities to be involved in work outside these meetings.
The closing date for applications is Friday 26 April 2019.
The Forum will have its first meeting on Tuesday 21 May 2019 in London.
For further information please see the Cancer Programme PPV Forum Applicant Information Pack
To apply please complete the following documents:

• Cancer Programme PPV Forum Application Form
• Cancer Programme PPV Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
  

Wessex Voices is working with NHS England to explore why fewer women aged over 50 are going for cervical and breast screening appointments. If this describes you, we'd be really interested to understand your experiences and be grateful if you would complete this short questionnaire. http://bit.ly/wvscreeningsurvey

It should take no longer than 10 minutes.  You will be taking part in this anonymously. The closing date is the 17th February 2019.


We will share the findings of the survey with NHS England Public Health (Wessex), who will use them to inform their work with local GPs and with the national NHS screening programme. Your thoughts will also be used to inform local cancer awareness campaigns taking place in 2019.

Do you know, or work with, male cancer patients or carers from ethnic minority backgrounds? Would they be willing to share their experiences with brap? brap are an equalities charity working with NHS England to look at the lived experiences of ethnic minority cancer patients and their carers.

It would involve a 45 minute interview at a convenient time and location of your choosing. It could be a telephone interview if you would like. brap are able to cover the cost of local travel expenses for participants.

The findings from this project will be used to improve how the NHS responds to ethnic inequalities in the experiences of cancer patients in the future.

 If you are able to help or would like to discuss the project please get in touch with Asif Afridi on asifa@brap.org.uk  or on 0121 272 8455.

This report collates and catalogues the state of play in the NHS patient experience world. It looks at the nature and extent of the NHS’s feedback enterprise, outlines major findings from recent quantitative and qualitative surveys and raises critical questions about its value. 
It also recommends more support for NHS Patient Experience colleagues and the potential impact of cuts to Healthwatch funding.
Click here to read it.

What makes it hard to quit?
Share your views about how they can help people give up smoking in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Cancer survival rates are higher than ever, and fewer people are dying from cancer.  But we know that that there is more to do so that every patient has the best chance of survival and receives the very best treatment. 

With a new five year funding settlement, the NHS is now developing a long-term plan.  This includes looking at future priorities for cancer care in England.  The NHS wants to hear from people, organisations and their networks about their experiences and priorities, including what has worked in your area.  They are also asking for responses to the following questions:

1. What are your top three priorities for improving cancer outcomes and care over the next five and ten years?
   
   
2. What more can be done to ensure that:
   More cancers are prevented?
   More cancers are diagnosed early and quickly?
   People can maintain a good quality of life during and after treatment?
   People with cancer have a good experience of care?
   
   
3. How can we recruit, train and retain the workforce to deliver the changes we need and the priorities you have shared?
   
   
4. How can we address variation and inequality to ensure everyone has access to the best diagnostic services, treatment and care?
   

Please send your feedback to the Wessex Cancer Alliance at England.wessexscn@nhs.net by the 10th September.  Your response will be used locally and also shared nationally.  Your answers will be confidential but it would be helpful if you could let us know who was involved in preparing your submission.  Thank you in advance.

NHS England are looking for expert PPV partners for a variety of groups who have a good knowledge and understanding of the health and care system nationally, regionally and/or locally to join their various advisory groups, and help shape NHS digital health services for people, patients and carers.
 
The main role of PPV partners is to ensure that patient voice is heard within the various groups by constructively challenging, offering insight and views from a patient/citizen perspective.
 
NHS E are specifically looking for PPV partners who can demonstrate an understanding of and who have a strong interest in digital health services and the opportunity they provide in empowering people and patients to manage their health and care.

Membership of the groups is for 12 months initially, and will then be reviewed.

The closing date for applications is Monday 3rd September 2018 (midnight). Interviews (face to face or online) will be held week commencing 17th September 2018.
​
Please go to the application form and information pack to apply and for further details. If you would like to receive an application pack in other formats, such as hard copy, please contact england.digitalhealth@nhs.net.

If your child(ren) and family currently use the Community Children's Nursing Service in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth, the service would be very grateful for your feedback.  They will use this to make improvements for the future.  Please complete a short questionnaire by the 23rd August via the following links:
Parents: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CWB923B
Children: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CS8DLBL
The service are also looking for feedback from the Community Children's Nurses, GPs and Pediatric Consultants via the following questionnaires: 
CCN’s: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3FFGQSF
GPs: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J68DH3F
Paediatric Consultant: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YBCKBP6
Thank you for taking the time to do this. 

If you are aged between 50 and 65 and don't go for breast or cervical (smear tests) screening, would you be prepared to talk about why this is?  Everyone taking part will receive a £20 voucher.

What do we want to ask you about? 
NHS England is concerned that the number of women over 50 years old going to their screening appointments is at a 17-year low.  It is really want to understand the range of reasons why women aren't taking up this important health check, and what might encourage them to go. 

Join us for an informal group discussion on:

• Saturday 21st July 10-12pm - Crescent Surgery, 68 Palmerston Rd, Bournemouth BH1 4HT
• Tuesday 24th July 6pm-8pm - Freemantle & Shirley Community Centre, Randolph St, Southampton SO15 3HE
  
• Wednesday 1st August 6pm-8pm - Buckland Community Centre, Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Buckland, Portsmouth PO2 7BT
  

The discussion will be completely confidential. 

We will provide teas, coffee, cake and cover any travel/parking expenses. 

Places are limited so please book your place by contacting:
Sue Newell, Wessex Voices Project Officer
Email: sue.newell@helpandcare.org.uk | Mobile:  07595 424198
 
Sue will provide all practical details including how to get there. Please let her know if you have any specific needs to attend.
 
 

The Wessex Cancer Alliance team are putting on an event in July to look at how they can improve the information and support for people living with a diagnosis of cancer.    They want to learn from people’s experiences to ensure they are getting this right or what can be improved.
 
The invitees are anyone who has been affected by cancer and health or social care professionals working with cancer patients across Wessex.
 
Date:  Wednesday 18th July 2018: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Venue: The Hilton Hotel, Bracken Pl, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 3RB
To book a place: email england.wessexscn@nhs.net
There is free parking and disabled access.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  Travel expenses can be claimed too.