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The National PALS Development Group (NPDG)

  • Last modified date:
    9 February 2007

To ensure continued delivery of PALS development nationally, representatives from each Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area worked together to identify and prioritise a national PALS development agenda. This group formed the basis of the NPDG. With representation of PALS staff from each of the SHA areas, the NPDG looked at providing solutions and sharing learning and best practice

In 2005 funding, managed by the SHA patient and public involvement leads network, was used to further develop the service nationally. A NPDG project manager was appointed acting as a point of contact to co-ordinate progress in the following areas:

  • Development of PALS Online- a web based tool to enable PALS workers to exchange news, views, ideas, information and best practice. It also provides information about PALS and how to access the service for members of the public.
  • Development of SHA local networks-  Each SHA area has a network of PALS managers supporting local development of the service. In 2005 each network received additional funding of £10,000 to build upon and strengthen network development.
  • Strengthen partnerships with other key agencies to enhance mainstreaming and development of PALS - this has included making information about PALS and how it can be accessed more widely available. For example via training and induction programmes for all NHS staff and via NHS Direct Interactive on digital TV.

Newsletter of the NPDG: PALS Post

PALS Post was the newsletter of the National PALS Development Group. Back copies can be downloaded via this link. Its target audience is the people who work in and with the Patient Advice and Liaison Services of the NHS. Members of the National PALS Development Group (NPDG) are drawn from PALS staff networks within each of the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) areas. PALS Post has been replaced by PALS Online, the national PALS website (link below).

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