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Why the patient voice is important to the BMA and in healthcare

October 2007

Many professional organisations recognise the importance of lay input in order to ensure that the view of professionals is not out of step with those who use their services. This is particularly important in healthcare where patients use services not out of choice but out of necessity.

The PLG believes that the views of patients and the public are of critical importance to the BMA which has strategic aims of promoting the delivery of the highest quality, patient-centred services in UK healthcare and improving the health expectation and experience of individuals and of the UK population. The work of the PLG is guided by the BMA’s three-year strategic plan and it has made contributions through its involvement with a number of BMA committees and working groups.

What committees have said about PLG involvement
“Bringing the patient perspective to the committee is important as it offers a fresh perspective or alternate approach which is helpful.”

“Our PLG representative contributes, and is asked for views, on debates with a patient interest. There is considerable respect within the committee for those views, and there is no evidence that the PLG presence stifles robust debate.”

“The developments discussed by our group have a significant impact upon patients. The PLG representative brings a useful and interesting non-clinical perspective to the debate and ensures items are discussed with this in mind.”

“It is helpful to have a voice who can highlight how some of the issues discussed may affect the patient, and who can bring information to the attention of the committee of which it was previously unaware.”

“It is important to have the patient view represented on all committees, as concepts around patient-centred care and patient participation become more prevalent.”