NHS Education for Scotland (NES), a Special Health Board responsible for the training and education of Scotland’s healthcare workforce, wants to appoint 6 young people aged 14-21 to work with us in the Young People’s Public Partnership Forum (PPF). 

The aim of the PPF is to:
- collect the views of young people and their experiences of health services and recommend how education of NHS staff can improve healthcare for young people
- influence ways in which children and young people have their voices heard
- raise awareness of services for young people in Scotland

The NES Young People’s PPF was established in February 2007 as part of the Patient Focus Public Involvement (PFPI) agenda and consisted of 11 young people.  Priorities to date have included Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sexual Health and Communication between healthcare professionals and young people.  Activities undertaken by the PPF to date include:

- event planning
- website development
- educational DVD
- linking with other young people’s groups
- chairing meetings

We are now in a position to recruit a further 6 members to this group.

No formal qualifications are necessary but experience of the health services as a patient or carer would be useful.  You will be passionate about promoting and safeguarding the health needs and rights of young people in Scotland, have the ability to work as part of a team and to think creatively.  You must be able to commit to approximately eight days a year over a 1 year period and should be available to travel as meetings will be held in different parts of the country.

In return you will receive training, full expenses, a daily participation fee and, importantly, the opportunity to make a difference.

Application packs are available online.

Or by writing to: Gwen Guignard, 3rd Floor, Hanover Buildings, 66 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NN

The deadline for applications is Friday 19th June 2009 at 5pm.

Interviews will be held in:
• Edinburgh – Saturday 11th July 2009
• Glasgow – Saturday 8th August 2009
• Aberdeen – Saturday 15th August 2009

The appointments will be made in accordance with equal opportunities legislation and no applicant will receive less favourable treatment on grounds of race, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion.  To ensure diversity in the Group membership, the selection process will consider a number of factors including, but not limited to, geography, gender, culture and ethnicity.