Do you use any of the Trust's services?
Do you care for someone who uses the Trust's services?
Joining our Forum of Carers and people who use our Services (FoCUS) is one way of having your say about the way we do things and helping us improve services. There is the opportunity to get involved in our work and meet other people who use our services and carers.
You can become involved by:
- Joining FoCUS and receiving information and news about Trust services.
- Attending meetings of your local area FoCUS group. The meetings are held in an open and accessible way - everyone is welcome. Travel expenses are paid at meetings or transport can be arranged.
There are four area groups that each meet eight times per year. The areas are:
- West Surrey & NE Hampshire
- North West Surrey
- South West Surrey
- East & Mid Surrey
- Being elected as a FoCUS Representative and attending quarterly FoCUS Committee meetings with the Chief Executive and the Trust’s directors.
Some of the things Focus has achieved are:
- Improvements to the STEPPS therapy programme and development of parallel training for carers to improve their understanding
- Working with staff to develop a new CMHRS discharge leaflet
- Issues raised regarding discharge from CMHRS prompted the Trust to undertake an audit checking compliance with standards for discharge
- Involvement in developing Single Point of Access for people in a crisis
- Fed back on accessible information policy, welcome packs, appointment letters and the smoking policy
- Raised accessibility issues at Farnham Road Hospital
FoCUS is organised and supported independently of our Trust. We want more people with experience of receiving the Trust's mental health, learning disability and drug & alcohol services and their families to become involved and have their say.
For more information
Please Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, who provide independent administration and support for FoCUS:
Email: info@surreycoalition.org.uk
Tel: 01483 456 558 Text: 07563 997 932
www.surreycoalition.org.uk