Overview
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is progressing work to develop and embed a culture of safe and effective compassionate health and social care. This is in line with the Department of Health, Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, which sets out a consistent regional approach to the practical arrangements and principles to be followed by Belfast Trust in order to create a culture of openness where trust can flourish between service users, staff and the organisations that make up the HSC system.
The Trust wishes to ensure that we work in partnership with the people who use our services to progress and embed this work. This will ensure that the public have confidence in the services which we provide and that we take an open, just and learning approach, which is embedded across our organisation.
To take forward this work, the Trust has established an Open, Just and Learning Culture Steering Group to take forward three key areas of work:
- Being Open – to advance work to embed practices/processes and behaviours that enables routine cultural openness and openness.
- Just Culture – to embed a culture of fairness, transparency and learning.
- Learning from excellence/learning from harm – to embed learning about what worked well and what could be improved in the provision of care.
We are seeking to integrate the service user and carer voice into this work through the establishment of a Being Open Service Involvement Group. This group will help integrate the service user and carer voice into this work and will also advise on how to effectively seek wider involvement when needed. It will ensure engagement through the Trust Involvement Network and also via the Patient and Client Council.
Get Involved
The Trust is seeking service user and carer representatives to get involved for an initial period of two years. This group will work in partnership with staff to ensure the service user and carer voice is embedded across the organisation, including providing input to the Open and Just Culture (OJC) Steering Group, which operates at strategic level.
The group will contribute to all aspects of our work that support greater openness and transparency. Initial areas of focus will include communication, the Being Open Framework and the implementation of the new Trust complaints handling procedure.
As this work evolves, we will ask group members to be flexible and to share their skills and experience as we develop deeper understanding of how we can work together in true partnership.
The group will initially meet 6-weekly and work to identify the most suitable time and location for the meetings.
The following sets out further information in relation to the engagement process, the programme of work and support to help service users and carers to get involvement.
As a member of the group, service user and carer members will be asked to:
- Attend SCOPE training (2 hours) to develop your knowledge about Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and what it means to get involved.
- Attend meetings as scheduled.
- Pre-reading materials will be shared seven days before each meeting to support informed discussion. Members are encouraged to review these materials in advance.
- Review documentation and comment/provide feedback from a service user and carer perspective.
- Maintain confidentiality in respect of all discussions and information provided to you while working within the group. This will be in line with the group Terms of Reference.
- Work respectively and collaboratively in partnership with others, respecting their views and opinions in open and honest discussion.
- Support wider involvement of service users and carers as identified, this may include, participation in focus groups, participation in project groups, co-designing information, questionnaires etc.
Who can get involved
We are seeking service users or carers to get involved who:
- Have an interest in the importance of creating an open, just and learning culture to improve staff experience and patient and service user care.
- Is a service user or carer of someone who uses Belfast Trust services but not currently involved in a complaint or Serious Adverse Incident (SAI)
- Have a willingness and commitment to attend meetings.
- Can contribute to group discussion from a service user and carer perspective and have an open mind and respect for others opinions.
- Have the ability to see the ‘big picture’ so that your input can impact everyone
- Knowledge of Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) would be helpful but not essential as support and identification of any training needs can be discussed and agreed.
Support for you if you decide to get involved
Prior to attending meetings, we will provide an induction to:
- Belfast Trust and what it means to get involved
Meet with the Programme Leads, who will provide an overview of the programme of work. This will include the background to the work, current structures, and other helpful information to support your understanding and involvement in the group.
The Co-Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development (Brendan McConaghy) will be the named point of contact within the Trust to support you. Pre and post meeting informal ‘catch up’ chats will be available to provide further support to you in this role.
Out of pocket expenses will be paid in line with the Trust reimbursement guidance.
This work aligns with our Trust values which shape everything we do – how we work together, how we treat each other, and how we deliver our services. They reflect our commitment to provide safe, effective, compassionate and person-centred care.
By becoming part of the Being Open Involvement Group, you are expected to uphold and reflect these values as we work together in partnership.
How to get involved
We are currently recruiting up to 10 service user and/or carer members.
If you are interested in getting involved, we invite you to complete an expression of interest form, telling us why you’d like to be involved and outlining any relevant skills or experience you’d like to share.
Click the link below to complete the expression of interest form:
Being Open Involvement Group Expression of Interest Form
This should be completed by Monday 8th December 2025. If you would like a hard copy to complete, please let us know by calling 02895044126 and leaving a message or email PPI@belfasttrust.hscni.net.
If you would find it helpful to discuss the role before applying, please feel free to get in touch by emailing PPI@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call 02895044126. Further information regarding involvement is available on the Trust website at How to get involved | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website
Service users and carers who get involved with the Belfast Trust play a vital role in helping us improve and shape our services.
We look forward to hearing from you.