Our Community members
Across Tees Valley, the Clinical Commissioning Group has a wide ranging and well-established engagement structure including a variety of community members. These include a range of approaches depending on the needs and historic working arrangements in each of the constituent localities that we serve – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton,
The aim is to develop meaningful, diverse and continuous forms of engagement with our communities, including:
- Patients
- Carers
- Members of the public
There are a number of ways through which our communities can influence the way local health services operate.
GP Practices
GP practices provide a mechanism for gathering patients’ views through Patient Participation Groups (PPGs). Most of our practices have their own PPG, comprising both virtual and / or physical groups. Most PPGs comprise patients and practice members of staff and meet regularly to discuss issues and concerns about the services and facilities offered by the practice to its patients. Ideally, each PPG would have a representative on the CCG wide Patient Reference Group that you can find out more about on this website.
Voluntary and community sector organisations and groups
There are numerous local organisations who work with us to help connect patients, carers and families to the work of the CCG.
Working across Health and Social Care issues, Healthwatch’s provide a way for local people to communicate, challenge and shape the decisions or commissioners and service providers in health and social care. Contact the relevant Healthwatch organisation in your local area to find out more about what they do and how you can get involved:
Darlington
Hartlepool
Stockton-on-Tees
Middlesbrough
Redcar and Cleveland
Hard-to-reach communities
We are particularly aware that we need to build and maintain ongoing relationships with a wide range of diverse communities within our area, especially marginalised and vulnerable groups that may experience the greatest health challenges.
These may include:
- Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community members
- Homeless people
- Young people
- Anyone who has been or is being affected by any form of abuse (physical, sexual, financial, emotional)
- Asylum seekers and refugees
- Pregnant ladies or those on leave
- Gypsy Romany Travellers
- People with physical and/or learning disabilities
- People who suffer from mental health problems
- People who live in rural areas
To overcome some of the barriers that prevent the CCG from engaging with these groups and to build long-lasting trust and confidence in the relationships, we will use a number of different approaches, eg: develop better links with community representatives and voluntary sector organisations that have got direct access to specific groups and communities. By relying on a ‘trusted person’, it will be easier to make contacts, build rapport and work together on a regular basis.
Statutory partners
Community Pharmacists
Pharmacists play an integral part in primary care. The CCG works closely with patients so that they understand what is on offer to them to help them get better and to keep them well. A community pharmacy can offer a wealth of advice without patients even needing to visit their GP.
Health and Wellbeing Board
These were set established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to act as a forum to bring together the NHS, Public Health, Adult Social Care and Children’s Services. The Health and well-being board is hosted by local authorities and plan how best to meet the needs of the local population and tackle health inequalities
Others
Locally the CCG also works closely with the North of England Commissioning Support Unit, neighbouring CCGs, NHS Trusts and other service providers, the Local Medical Committee, local councillors and local Members of Parliament.
Nationally the CCG engages regularly with the Department of Health, NHS England and the Care Quality Commission.