Effective Patient Leader Programme 2022 – APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED

For Patients and Carers making the NHS better 

About the Programme

We are delighted to invite you to attend a virtual version of our popular ‘Effective Patient Leader’ programme to be held during May and June 2022.

During this programme participants will:  

  • Meet other patients and carers who are working to improve care 
  • Hear from inspiring speakers about what they have achieved  
  • Learn how the NHS is changing 
  • Meet people who work in the NHS and want the voice of patients and carers to be heard 
  • Gain confidence challenging professional assumptions and promoting inclusive language  
  • Experience individual mentoring  

Is this programme for me?

  • Are you a patient or carer? 
  • Have you some experience of working with healthcare professionals to improve services? 
  • Would you like to make more of a difference?  

If you said ‘yes’ to all three questions – then YES – this programme is for you! 

How will the programme be delivered?

The programme will be delivered in weekly sessions as per the programme below. Each seminar builds on the one before so participants should plan to attend them all. 

The programme will be delivered via Microsoft Teams and participants will be able to access it from a PC, laptop or tablet. If additional access support is required please let us know.

The course is highly interactive throughout, so come prepared to share your experiences and ideas and to learn from those of fellow participants

Please note: the first two sessions for each programme will be run at different times on the same day. 



11th May
13:00 – 16:00
Session 1 – Effective Patient Leader Introduction
– About the programme
– Getting to know each other
– Roles and Responsibilities
– Collaboration and Coproduction
– Guest Speaker: Mark Doughty, Clinical Fellow Kings Fund and Co-Founder of Centre for Patient Leadership


18th May
13:00 – 16:00
Session 2 – Getting Your Voice Heard
– Speaking Up
– Listening with Curiosity
– Conversations that make a difference
– Guest Speaker: Louise Patmore, Patient Leader and Programme Lead for ICS MH participation in Sussex

The rest of the sessions will be held jointly with NHS staff from the Reaching Out Programme. 



25th May
09:00 – 12:00
Session 3 – Reaching Out
– Guest Speaker: Stephen Bitti, CEO of Healthwatch Kingston-on-Thames
– Guest Speaker: Jonathan Lees, Managing Director & Founder of Good Company Trust
– How does Healthwatch do it?
– Meeting less heard people where they live
– Developing your networks
– Making new connections

8th June 2022
09:00 – 12:00
Session 4 –  Question Time!
– ‘Why does Patient Experience and Engagement Matter to NHS Boards?’
– What’s changing the NHS?
– Senior leaders answer your questions
15th June 2022
09:00 – 12:00
Session 5 – Planning Your Next Steps
– Working in trios with a coach: Creating your personal strategy and action plan
– Small group discussions: On topics of your choice
21st Sept 2022
09:00 – 12:00
How is it going?
– Catch up on progress with personal strategy and action plan
– Small group work with coaches

Please see the Effective Patient Leader Flyer for full details of each programme, a detailed breakdown of each session, and information about the facilitators.

Submit an Application

APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED. All applications will be subject to shortlisting and successful delegates will be notified of the outcome of their submission by Friday 29th April 2022.