Patient Safety Partners

The safety of our service users is at the forefront of everything we do, and as part of our commitment to offering safe services, we need your help.

By becoming a Patient Safety Partner at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) you can influence and improve safety within our services.

You can make a meaningful difference to patient care by becoming an advocate for patient safety and giving a voice to the patients and communities that we serve.

You will work alongside our staff, service users and families, and will play a vital role in making our services safer.

Patient Safety Partners can be service users, carers, family members, or other lay people (as long as they don’t work for the NHS). It’s a great opportunity to share your interests, experiences and skills, and become a valuable part of our team.

What our Patient Safety Partners do:
  • help bring patient safety to the forefront of all that we do
  • be a voice for the patients and communities who use our services
  • work with us to consider how to improve safety at our Trust
  • play a vital role in patient safety improvement projects
  • help with staff patient safety training
  • participate in learning reviews
  • attend and contribute to patient safety meetings

The role of the Patient Safety Partner has been developed by NHS England to help improve patient safety across health care in the UK, and it will evolve over time.

If you have an interest in the role, or would like to know more, please read the information below or contact patientsafety.lypft@nhs.net.

Role description

To find out more about the role and the skills and experience required, download the role description and person specification.

Frequently asked questions
What is the role of a Patient Safety Partner?

This is an involvement opportunity and the main purpose of the role is to be a voice for the patients and communities who use our services and ensure that patient safety is at the forefront of all that we do.

What roles are available to Patient Safety Partners?

There are a number of options open to Patient Safety Partners. These include:

  • attending governance meetings where patient safety, risk, and quality are discussed
  • reviewing documentation including policies, investigations, learning responses and reports

As the role evolves, we may ask you to participate in the investigation of patient safety events, assist in the implementation of patient safety improvement initiatives, develop patient safety resources and co-production opportunities.

What does being a Patient Safety Partner involve?

We would like someone who is able to listen to and read complex information and provide feedback to ensure that patient safety is our priority. You will need to be able to communicate rational and objective feedback focused on ensuring that patient safety is maintained and improved.

Will I receive support as a Patient Safety Partner?

We will support you in your role and ensure you are provided with the tools and advice you need.  You will be buddied up with one of the Clinical Governance Team and will work alongside the Patient Safety Team for the Trust. They will explain the expectations of the role and provide any support required.

You will have regular scheduled reviews with your buddy and regular one-to-one sessions. You will also be part of a team of Patient Safety Partners who will be able to provide peer support to you.

What is the time commitment? 

We would be looking for you to be able to commit to 8 hours a month as a minimum. The majority of meetings will be during the hours of 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. There may be a requirement for you to prepare and read materials outside of these hours.

Will I be paid as this is a voluntary role?

This role is an involvement opportunity so you will be paid in line with the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust / NHS England involvement payment guidance, plus additional travel expenses as required. For more information on our Trust Involvement Policy, please contact patientsafety.lypft@nhs.net.

Is there training available?

The role will require you to complete some mandatory training including general data protection regulations, equality and diversity, and safeguarding. These training sessions will help you in your role and may be useful in other roles you choose to take on. Depending on your level of experience and knowledge further training will be provided as required.

How long will I hold this role for?

Your placement as a Patient Safety Partner will be reviewed after one year to measure its success. After this review you may continue in this role, step down or may be offered a different placement within the organisation as the role evolves.

What experience do I need to become a Patient Safety Partner?

There will be a variety of roles that we can offer to candidates based on their skills and experience.

We are looking for people who represent the needs and interests of users of our services and you may have your own lived experience. You will need an awareness of the experiences and perspectives of our communities. For example, people that may find it difficult to access health services in Leeds and York Partnership because of health conditions or accessibility needs.

How will my work help the NHS?

You will be a voice of the public, ensuring that our Trust is focused on patients, service users, carers, families, and prioritises patient safety in all that we do.

Do I have to live locally to Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust?

This is not essential however we would want you to have an understanding of our communities’ needs.  You may have to travel regularly to Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust sites. This will be required for some face-to-face meetings, training, and briefings/debriefings. Expenses will be reimbursed.

Who can apply for this role?

You can apply for this role if you are interested in supporting patient safety and are passionate about helping the NHS. That is the chief purpose of this role.

Anyone can apply to be a Patient Safety Partner as long as they do not work for the NHS. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, sexuality, ethnicity, or any other protected characteristic. We believe a diversity of voices and experiences will help us to understand and achieve more.  We will invite those interested to meet with the team and explore whether you are the right fit for the role. Other opportunities will also be available.

Where can I find further information about the role?

For more information, please contact patientsafety.lypft@nhs.net.