PPUP makes itself heard

PEOPLE in Oldham affected by cancer can have a say on how to improve health services by joining a group with clout.

Pennine Patient User Partnership group (PPUP) is charged with making suggestions for improvements, and in the four years since it was formed it has notched up an impressive list of successes.

It was responsible for creating a cancer resource centre in Failsworth, a project spearheaded by one of its members, Chris Hoyle, who now runs it with a band of volunteers.

And members were involved in the process which will bring a £17 million radiotherapy centre, funded and run by the Christie Hospital, to the Royal Oldham Hospital next year.

PPUP worked with medical staff on improving guidelines for breaking bad news to patients, pressed for funding for advice workers to give benefits information to people too poorly to work, and secured a stock of panic alarms for people who have had surgery for throat cancer.

And thanks to a call for specialist training by PPUP, most Oldham people who have had a laryngectomy can now have replacement throat valves fitted locally in a simple procedure instead of travelling to another hospital for a general anaesthetic.

PPUP was also instrumental in securing dedicated parking spaces for Oldham’s Victoria Breast Care Unit, and it highlighted “unfair” prescription charges which meant outpatients had to pay for chemotherapy while inpatients got it for free, which ultimately led to prescriptions charges being dropped.

It also insisted specialist nurses were needed for different cancers and supported a bid for funding by Pennine Acute Trust which led to several new nurses being appointed.

David Makin, chairman of the group, said: “We are not a talking shop, we get things done.”

Mr Makin, who was treated for cancer 20 years ago, issued an invitation to Oldham people: “Whether you have cancer yourself or are a carer, if you feel there is something in the system that needs changing, come and make your voice heard.

“We are a friendly and informal group, and members are also able to talk about their problems and offer support to each other.

“We also get involved in wider issues, such as car parking and Patientline, the hospital bedside telephone and television service.”

PPUP has 35 members and meets on the last Thursday of every month at the Education Centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital, from 5.30 to 7.30pm, with refreshments available from 5pm. The next meeting is on April 30.

It regularly has guest speakers and is open to cancer patients, former patients, friends, carers, ex-carers and health professionals.

It works alongside senior managers and professionals from Pennine Acute Trust, which runs the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Anyone interested in joining is welcome to call in, and people with ideas and enthusiasm who are not able to commit to regular meetings are equally welcome.

Those who want more information can call PPUP on 0161-918 4294.