The Patients’ Council - Mental Health

What is The Patients’ Council?

The Patients’ Council is an independent organisation supported by Local Solutions, set up by and for mental health service users. The Patients Council works with mental health service users at the Broadoak Unit, at Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool. It operates a listening and information service and facilitates an exchange of information and ideas between patients and staff. 

Who are the Patients Council

The Patients’ Council facilitators consist of a team of volunteers who work alongside staff members - all have had experiences of mental health services/facilities.  Council members are independent of the hospital. 

What does The Patients’ Council do?

The Patients’ Council offers patients at The Broadoak Unit an opportunity to comment on the service that they receive during their stay on the ward.  Volunteers regularly visit patients on the wards to listen to any concerns or queries that they may have. These include comment on a range of matters such as privacy, diet, minority and ethnic issues, medication and side effects, information and activities.

The Patients’ Council’s work is directed by patients, as it is their issues which are being promoted and on which an agenda is set.

Any concerns that are raised by patients are fed back to the senior management of the MerseyCare NHS Trust and have resulted in improvements in their care.

The Patients Council is always looking to recruit volunteers.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or in any other information relating to The Patients’ Council, contact: Richard Burniston

Tel: 0151-250 5061.