The NJR Patient Network: developing the network and including the patient voice

The NJR Patient Network enables us to better understand the patient perspective on a multitude of topics across our workstreams, so that we are focussed on what is of importance to patients. Our regular meetings are well-attended and offer participants a welcoming space to share their experiences, hear updates on the progress of our activities and to provide their perspective on a wide range of discussion areas. We also organise meetings that enable patients, and those with an interest in joint replacement, to connect with others who may be going through similar joint health experiences.

Patient input has helped to better plan for a new infection audit, inform some of our communication activities and also enabled feedback into the development of NJR surgery outcome prediction tools and online resources.

We were delighted to recently welcome our Patient Network co-Chair Rebecca Beesley, who is also a Patient Representative for the NJR Board. Rebecca brings a wealth of personal experience in matters of joint health and surgery.  

Another network highlight was that a member’s story was featured in The Telegraph, on his experience of ankle-fusion surgery and the impact on his life of regaining his mobility. This powerful piece also gave national visibility to the importance and value of NJR resources and information, in the shared decision-making process between patient and their healthcare providers. You can read the article here.

Over recent months we have:

• held a series of network meetings on a range of topics including: a patient consultation on a proposed audit, a review of some of our communication channels, publications and work activities.
• welcomed a number of new volunteer members to the network.
• supported two members to produce patient blogs about their lived experience of joint replacement surgery.
• produced a lived experience story with a member, which was featured in The Telegraph.
• consulted with members during the development of our new adverse outcome prediction tool for shoulder surgery.

There is always plenty to be excited about in the NJR Patient Network. We aim to offer a range of range of discussion topics through our regular meetings, where patients are invited to contribute their own perspectives and share their experience. We are grateful for the contributions our members make.

If you have an interest in joining our Patient Network, you can sign up here to join us.