Care is better when people tell us what they need.
Patient and carer user groups
We have patient and carer partnership groups embedded across our services. These groups bring together:
- Patients
- Carers and families
- Voluntary and community group representatives
- Members of staff
Groups meet regularly throughout the year to support improvements in patient care and hospital services.
Here are some of our groups — is there one you’d like to join?
ACTIVE – for children and young people
Are you aged 8 to 18? Want to help make hospital services better for young people?
Join ACTIVE a group for children and young people at Addenbrooke’s.
Some members are patients, others are thinking about a healthcare career, and some just want to make a difference.
Quote from ACTIVE leaders:
"No one knows better what a child wants or needs than a child."
East of England Neurosurgery Network Patient Community Voice
Help shape the future of neurosurgery services across the East of England.
You can:
- Share your experiences
- Take part in discussion groups
- Help develop values and direction
- Advise on policies and procedures
Email the East of England Neurosurgery Network or fill out this form to get involved (opens in a new tab)
East of England Radiotherapy Network Patient Co Production Group (opens in a new tab)
Help shape the future of radiotherapy services across the East of England.
You can:
- Share your experiences as a patient or carer
- Influence how radiotherapy services are designed and improved
- Ensure patient and carer voices are at the heart of our work
You do not need to have any skills or experience, other than having used radiotherapy services in the following departments:
- Addenbrooke’s
- Colchester
- Ipswich
- Norfolk and Norwich
- Peterborough
- Southend
Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments that will support you, so that you can be involved. We can also provide large print, or easy read versions of documents.
All meetings are held online and via email, so everyone can take part.
Email Alison Bowman to find out more.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease patient panel
The Addenbrooke's IBD Patient Panel represents people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The panel:
- Meets four times a year (in-person or on Zoom)
- Provides feedback to staff
- Works to improve patient experience
We especially welcome carers and people from diverse backgrounds. Email the IDB patient panel for more information.
Inpatient Partnership Group - be a voice for improving inpatient care at Addenbrooke’s
If you’ve been a patient, carer, or visitor at Addenbrooke’s within the last five years, you can join our Inpatient Partnership Group.
As a member, you can:
- Act as a 'critical friend' to the hospital
- Help identify important topics for inpatients
- Join short-term task groups (optional)
Meetings start online, with possible in-person sessions later.
To register email Kate Homan, patient experience programme manager or call: 01223 274874.
MyChart Stakeholder Group
Help shape MyChart, the CUH patient portal.
Group members:
- Review and approve design and functionality changes
- Monitor patient and staff feedback
- Recommend improvements
Email the patient experience team to find out more.
Outpatient Experience Group
The Outpatient Experience Group (OEG) meets monthly to:
- Review patient feedback
- Influence outpatient services
- Help craft patient information
Members can join meetings in person, by email, or by phone.
We particularly welcome voices from LGBTQ+, BAME, and Armed Forces communities.
Email the patient experience team if you would like to join.
Reader panel - patient information
Help make patient leaflets clearer and easier to understand.
As a Reader Panel member, you will:
- Review patient leaflets at home
- Give feedback on readability and clarity
Leaflets are emailed to you for review with a seven-day turnaround. Email the Trust Documents Team, or call 01223 274685 to get involved.
Trauma East Voices (opens in a new tab)
The East of England Trauma Network coordinates major trauma care across six counties.
Trauma East Voices is our Patient Experience Group, where patients and families share their experiences and suggest improvements. Visit the website (opens in a new tab) or call: 01223 257290.
Patient and Carer Focus Groups
From time to time, we run focus groups on specific topics to gather feedback and ideas from patients and carers.
If you would like to be added to our contact list for future focus groups, email the patient experience team or phone 01223 274874.
Contact us
Patient engagement and surveys team
Available 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Email the patient experience team
- Phone: 01223 274874
- Address:
Patient Engagement and Surveys
Box 150
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
The CUH PPI panel
Our PPI panel connects researchers with members of the public to help make research more relevant, accessible, and successful.
We have more than 70 local members with a wide range of backgrounds.
If you're interested in joining, please contact the CUH PPI team. (opens in a new tab).