Patient Participation Panel

Patient Participation Panel

At South Western Ambulance Service (SWA S F T) ,  we' re on a mission to make our care and services the best they can be and we need  you  to help us get there!  

Our  Patient Participation Panel (PPP)  is your chance to have a real say in shaping the future of emergency care. Think of it as a friendly, open space where your ideas, feedback, and experiences can spark meaningful change.  

Why join?  

  • Because your voice matters.  

  • Because your community deserves the best.  

  • Because together, we can make a difference.  

What's involved?  

  • Quarterly virtual meetings (easy to join from anywhere).  

  • Flexible attendance - pop in for an hour or just part of a session.  

  • Share your thoughts, big or small.  

  • Quarterly Newsletters, so we can keep you up to date on how your voice is making a difference!  

If you can spare  just one hour every three months ,  you'll  help us improve care for thousands of people across the region.  

Ready to make an impact? Drop us a line at PPP@swast.nhs.uk  and let's get started! Click here to become involved in our next forum. 

 

Date Time Guest Speaker
13 March 2026   16:00 - 17:30   Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) - Call Handler - Understanding the first point of contact  
17 June 2026   11:00 - 12:30   Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) - Dispatcher - Coordinating emergency response  
8 September 2026   17:00 - 18:00  Paramedic - Delivering frontline care  
10 December 2026 12:00 - 13:30   Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer (HALO) - Ensuring smooth hospital handovers  
Meetings in 2026

How to join the meeting?

The dates of the next Patient Participation Panels will be listed below and a link to the agenda will be uploaded prior to the meeting.

Date Time Guest Speaker
13 March 2026   16:00 - 17:30   Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) - Call Handler - Understanding the first point of contact  
17 June 2026   11:00 - 12:30   Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) - Dispatcher - Coordinating emergency response  
8 September 2026   17:00 - 18:00  Paramedic - Delivering frontline care  
10 December 2026 12:00 - 13:30   Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer (HALO) - Ensuring smooth hospital handovers  
Meetings in 2026

 

Simply  click the link here to be taken through to the Microsoft Teams Virtual Waiting Room. You are free to join and leave at any time.  

The agenda will be shared on the day, if you would like the agenda in advance, please contact PPP@SWAST.nhs.uk .

If you have any issues with Microsoft Teams, please take a look at this handy how to guide.

What is the Patient Participation Panel?

 

 

Ask a question or make a comment

Do you have a burning question you would like SWASFT to answer? 

Do you have a comment you believe is important for us to investigate? 

Do you have a suggestion that will enable us to provide a better, more inclusive service? 

If so, please complete the form below so we can review your input and discuss it at the next PPP or provide you with a detailed response. 

Send it in advance to the PPP:   Patient Participation Panel- Have your say! (office.com)

We aim to give you accurate and well-informed answers. However, this process can sometimes take a little longer. Why? Because we want to ensure the information we provide is correct and comprehensive. This may involve: 

  • Consulting with subject matter experts or other members of staff within the trust. 

  • Reviewing relevant policies, procedures, or guidance documents. 

  • Gathering supporting data or evidence to fully address your question or concern. 

  • Coordinating with different departments to confirm details or clarify complex issues. 

Our priority is to give you clear, reliable answers rather than quick but incomplete responses. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to provide the best possible information. 

All responses from SWASFT will be posted on this website for you to view at your leisure.  

Your questions answered

All questions you raise are carefully reviewed to ensure you receive clear, accurate, and reliable answers.

We believe transparency is key, so every official response is published for your reference. You can access these responses at any time by visiting the dedicated section on our website using the button below. This way, you can stay informed and confident that your queries are addressed thoroughly and by the right people. 

Any official Trust responses from the last PPP can be found here 

Patient Participation Panel member testimonials

“You have an opportunity to influence the emergency health care services and how they operate by becoming a member of the SWASFT Patient Participation Panel.

They give you the chance to speak directly to decision makers, to raise any issues of concern, with a view to improve your experience as a patient or express your appreciation for any good experience you have had."

Sandra, PPP member

“Listening to what patients have to say is absolutely crucial in helping support ongoing improvement in the emergency services provided by SWASFT to communities across the South West region. 

The Patient Participation Panel is a really fun way in which members of the public can provide their feedback and ideas in an informal and supportive way. 

By joining the quarterly Panel discussions, you will be making a REALLY valuable contribution in helping SWASFT deliver on its commitment to provide outstanding patient-centred care.”

Nigel, PPP member

"The Patient Participation Panel offers me an opportunity to engage with the people who are responsible for delivering the ambulance service. I find it very interesting and it’s a very useful way of learning more about the service and getting updates on new developments."

Jeremy, PPP member

 

Relevant Documents

To ensure that the PPP remains fair, transparent, consistent, and effective, so that all parties take responsibility, we have established a Code of Conduct and Terms of Reference. 

The Code of Conduct is designed to set clear ethical standards and professional expectations. This framework helps us uphold public trust, confidence, fairness, and integrity in decision-making. It also provides guidance for accountability and addressing misconduct. Ultimately, these measures ensure that everyone adheres to defined standards and contribute to creating a positive, safe, and respectful environment. 

The Terms of Reference define the purpose, scope, and responsibilities of the PPP panel. They provide a clear framework for its operation, ensuring transparency and consistency in decision-making. By outlining roles, processes, and expectations, the Terms of Reference helps to manage collaborator confidence and establish accountability, creating a documented basis for fair and effective governance. 

To review these please click on the links below -  

 Patient Participation Panel - Code of Conduct

 Patient Participation Panel - Terms of Reference

Previous Panel Meetings

If you missed the last Patient Participation Panel, or want to watch it again, simply click the link below to view.

Friday 21 November 2025

Friday 11 April 2025

Friday 13 December 2024

Friday 9 August 2024

Friday 12 April 2024

 
We require all panel members to give consent to being recorded and so, if we have less than 100% agreement, or if identifiable information was shared, we will be unable to publish the recording. Therefore, if you'd like to receive any available presentation slides, please email ppp@swast.nhs.uk.

Difficulty in joining?

If you have any issues joining the meeting, or aren’t sure what to do, please email ppp@swast.nhs.uk before the PPP for assistance. 

When you click the link to join the meeting you will be taken straight through to the virtual platform waiting room and someone will admit you when the meeting starts. 

We regret that the PPP staff may not be able to respond to an email if sent while the PPP is taking place, but we will reply as soon as we can.

Quick links

  1. Become a member
  2. Join the team
  3. Get involved
  4. Calling us