Sarah Tilsed

Why innovation in healthcare needs patient involvement Healthcare innovation is advancing at an incredible pace, with new technologies and digital solutions transforming the way care is delivered. But for these innovations to truly benefit everyone, patie...

For more information on this topic, read Sarah's blog from Hett Show North earlier this year: www.patients-association.org.uk/blog/why-inn...

Patients from deprived and coastal communities have been left behind by an outdated and unfair GP funding distribution system; this review of the Carr-Hill formula is a long-overdue chance to put that right.

A fairer GP funding system is essential to tackling health inequalities.

We welcome the government's review of the Carr-Hill formula — a long-overdue chance to make funding fairer and improve access for those who need it most. buff.ly/Wd7ROzh #HealthInequalities #NHS

Together, we are setting a new benchmark for mental health support - ensuring that every healthcare professional has access to the care they deserve.

This collaboration is more than funding. It’s a shared commitment to compassion, resilience, and action. #WMHD2025 #WMHD #WorldMentalHealthDay

#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthAwareness 🫶

This Black History Month, we're celebrating the power, pride and visibility of Black LGBT+ trailblazers who are shaping culture and breaking boundaries!

In the UK, Black History Month takes place every October.

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Four people sat in a line facing an audience. The person on the far end is Curie, a patient advocate and member of the Patient Association.

Four people stood in a line in front of a banner. The person third from the left is Curie, a patient advocate and member of the Patient Association.

Yesterday, Patients Association member Curie presented on a patient panel for
@amgen.bsky.social's 'Mission Week'. She emphasised that partnering with patients is crucial, and shared how technology has transformed her experience of living with diabetes. #AmgenMissionWeek2025

Text Reads: Healthcare Professionals Report 2025. Nearly a quarter of prescribers described having difficulties getting the specialist support they needed to be able to prescribe GAHT for their trans patients. Learn how best to support trans patients by visiting transactual.org.uk/healthcare-professionals Image shows a person with dark hair tied back in a bun and glasses, wearing a stehoscope and white coat, carrying a clipboard.

Text Reads: Healthcare Professionals Report 2025. “The use of hormones are out of my comfort zone and when asked to request monitoring bloods I often feel unable to interpret them.” -NHS GP working in general practice. Learn how best to support trans patients by visiting transactual.org.uk/healthcare-professionals Image shows a person with short grey hair wearing a checked blue shirt and a stethoscope.

Text Reads: Healthcare Professionals Report 2025. “We are under huge pressures to prescribe as patients do not have other viable options.” -NHS GP working in general practice. Learn how best to support trans patients by visiting transactual.org.uk/healthcare-professionals Image shows a person with long dark hair in a pony tail wearing a white coat and a stethoscope, carrying a clipboard.

Most healthcare professionals want to help their patients and to provide high quality, patient-centred care. But in too many cases, something is stopping them.

Today our Head of Partnerships and Involvement @sarahtilsed.bsky.social joined brilliant panellists at HETT Show South to talk about the importance of meaningful patient and public involvement in the design of digital products and services.

On a pink background with gradient orange and pink dot patterns, a red, white, and orange heart, and the HRC logo, yellow text reads, “International Lesbian Day.”

Lesbians make the world go ‘round.

Happy International Lesbian Day!

#InternationalLesbianDay #Lesbian #LGBTQ

Image shows four people standing together holding a lesbian flag with another lesbian flag waving behind them. Text reads: Happy International Lesbian Day!

Happy International Lesbian Day!

#InternationalLesbianDay #lesbian #LGBTQ

On #InternationalLesbianDay, we celebrate lesbians’ power, resistance, and joy. In a world that still silences and excludes, we demand safety, freedom, and justice for all lesbians everywhere.

Happy #InternationalLesbianDay! 🏳️‍🌈💖 from this proud queer woman to all my fellow femmes, thems, butches, studs, dykes, queers & women-loving-women

Today we celebrate our rich history, fierce diversity & unbreakable solidarity. You are seen, valid & loved. 💜👭

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #LWithTheT #ILD2025

Happy #InternationalLesbianDay to all the lesbians out there! Hope you're having a wonderful day. Here's a thread of a few historic lesbian stories (not necessarily stories about lesbians, but definitely stories that have a place in the history of wlw) to brighten your day. #lesbianhistory

Text reads: Do you live near Hampstead Heath? Do you use the bathing ponds? There is an image that shows the consultation website with a picture of the ponds in the background and the text: Consultation on future access to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds The City of London Corporation has launched a public consultation to help inform future access arrangements at Hampstead Heath’s Bathing Ponds. The consultation invites feedback from pond users, the local community, and stakeholders on how the Kenwood Ladies’, and Highgate Men’s ponds should operate in the future. The consultation is open until 12:00 on Tuesday 25th November 2025.

If you live near Hampstead Heath or use the bathing ponds you can now respond to the consultation on future access to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds. Respond to the consultation and have your say!

You can respond to the consultation here: hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

At the Labour Party Conference, @rachel-p.bsky.social chaired a panel on life sciences. Speaking with experts in the industry, the panel discussed how the UK can become a global leader in life sciences, and heard examples at the local level from the Liverpool City Region.

🌍 On #WorldPharmacistsDay, we celebrate the vital role pharmacists play in supporting patients’ health and wellbeing. From expert advice to ensuring safe access to medicines, thank you for all you do. 👏

AI in healthcare: what do patients really think?

Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve patient experiences — but only if it’s designed and delivered in partnership with patients, not just handed to them.
Read our Communications and Marketing manager, Emma Sheffield's article:
buff.ly/4aLj3vR

Flagship NHS pledge hanging in the balance - experts A think tank warns the 18-week waiting time target will not be hit by 2029, on current rate of progress.

Are #NHS waiting times getting better near you? Find out by entering your postcode and see how waiting times in your area compare to November 2024: buff.ly/No1Vcxc

And for any questions you might have about healthcare, give our helpline a ring on 0800 345 7115

Unseen and unheard: why healthcare must listen to neurodivergent south Asian women Patient advocate Mala shares how bias and misunderstanding shape healthcare for neurodivergent South Asian women, and why empathy, inclusion, and small adjustments can transform patient trust and…

Too often, neurodivergent south Asian women are dismissed or misunderstood in healthcare. Patient advocate Mala shares why inclusion, empathy, and small changes can transform trust and outcomes.
👉 Read her blog: buff.ly/4F0sx8a

MHRA confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children Paracetamol should be taken as directed in the patient information leaflet

@mhragovuk.bsky.social confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children www.gov.uk/government/n...

Our Chief Exec @rachel-p.bsky.social is on the first panel of the day highlighting the need to move beyond patient participation to genuine partnership between patients, the NHS and industry #KFLifeSciences

"That's so helpful. It's good to be able to talk to someone about this" Helpline caller

🙋 Get free, confidential guidance about health and care from our helpline.

Give our team a ring on 0800 345 7115 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5pm) or email helpline@patients-association.org.uk. buff.ly/BVdkLLX

Support for adults facing staggering waits for gender services Adults waiting for gender services will receive clinical and emotional support from a new wellbeing pilot.

The Health & Social Care Secretary announced launch of pilot scheme where adults waiting for gender services will receive clinical & emotional support. It is fundamentally wrong that so many #LGBT+ people still face challenges when accessing #healthcare
www.gov.uk/government/n...

The Patients Association Podcast Podcast · The Patients Association · The Patients Association is an independent patient charity, that works directly with patients to campaign for improvements in health and social care. Here you'll…

🎧 Looking for a weekend listen? Check out our session with @drrageshri.bsky.social about the transformative power of listening in medical care on Spotify or Apple podcasts!
Spotify: buff.ly/MBTpkId
Apple: buff.ly/6iuasaO

Health equity from day one: World Patient Safety Day 2025 This World Patient Safety Day, Orla Fitzsimmons reflects on the urgent need to tackle health inequalities and give every child the safe care they deserve from day one.

To make genuine improvements and to ensure that children and their families have the best care possible from the very beginning, patients must be partnered with, listened to, and their feedback and concerns genuinely heard and valued.
buff.ly/Jq2gEqt

You and your dentist This page is designed to give you more information about finding a dentist and using their services. It includes tips on how to prepare for an appointment, the charges you can expect and how to make a...

🦷Our dentistry guide can give you more information about finding a dentist and using their services.

It includes tips on how to prepare for an appointment, the charges you can expect and how to make a complaint 👇 www.patients-association.org.uk/you-and-your...

Expression of interest: Supporting patient involvement in the development of HCPC’s new corporate strategy Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

We are looking for focus group participants to take part in our project supporting the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to develop its new corporate strategy with patient involvement.

Register your interest before 3 October:

“...this report that one in three GPs are not working in the NHS is deeply distressing for the patients who already experience frustration and anxiety when trying to access a GP appointment." @rachel-p.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Health equity from day one: World Patient Safety Day 2025 This World Patient Safety Day, Orla Fitzsimmons reflects on the urgent need to tackle health inequalities and give every child the safe care they deserve from day one.

Every child deserves safe, high-quality care no matter who they are or where they’re born.

On #WorldPatientSafetyDay, we’re calling for action to make health equity from day one a reality.

🔗 Read more from Orla on our blog: buff.ly/Jq2gEqt #ChildHealth #MaternitySafety

Doctors in Distress logo top left. NHS Professionals logo top right. Text reads Hope Through Action. Working to ensure that no more lives are lost to suicide. National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers. 17 September 2025.

It’s National Suicide Memorial Day for Health & Care Workers. Let’s remember & honour colleagues, friends & loved ones who we have tragically lost.

If you’re struggling, support is available. Call our crisis line 24/7 - Freephone 0808 196 3779 or NHS 111, option 2.