LOOKING for a new volunteer role?

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is urging Wirral residents to sign up to share their views for a Public and Patient Panel.

The panel gives the trust the chance to hear what people think about NWAS and work on the feedback to shape the future of the service.

Volunteers will be able to decide on their level of involvement on the panel from completing online surveys, giving feedback on strategies to attending focus groups.

NWAS are looking for representatives from above 16 years of age and all areas of the North West but cannot be current NWAS employees.

Any expenses will be reimbursed and although members are asked to commit to a minimum of one year, you can withdraw at any time.

Head of communications and engagement Julie Treharne said: “Everything we do is for our patients and our public and we feel that it’s vital that we hear their views and that they have a say on service improvement and changes that we make as a trust.

“While you don’t need to have used the service to be a member of our panel, we know that our patients with lived experience could offer us a unique perspective as members which we’d love to hear.

"We’re looking for people from across the North West of all ages, beliefs, cultures and circumstances to help us build a representative picture of our community.”

It is hoped that the Patient and Public Panel will ensure the highest quality of care is given to patients, their relatives and carers.

There are three different types of volunteer roles:

• Influence – Members will be supported to attend meetings within the trust such as board and committee meetings where their views will help to influence decision making and discussions on a variety of different subjects. This role will require regular time commitment such as reading agendas and supporting materials ahead of scheduled meetings and availability to attend meetings at a trust location.

• Co-produce – Our co-production panel will work together on projects with the trust to help make service improvements. As part of the co-production panel, participants may be asked to get involved in focus groups on topics such as vehicle design, communication with the public or new models of providing patient care. This role will require occasional commitment and travel to a trust or community based location.

• Consult – The consult panel will be virtual and members will be asked to contribute online which can be flexible to fit in with other commitments they may have such as work and family life. Examples of participation may include completing surveys or providing feedback on leaflets or publications via email or online.

To apply to become a panel member visit

www.nwas.nhs.uk/panel