Clare Gummett

Clare Gummett, Lay Member – Patient & Public Involvement, Merton Clinical Commissioning Group

“I’ve lived in Merton for 35 years bringing up my four children, using just about every NHS service available in the process! After 30 years of working in Merton’s community sector, the NHS was very new to me when I became Lay Member for Patient & Public Involvement in 2013.

“My role is to make sure that the patient is central to everything we do – and that the voice of the patient is heard. So I listen. I then support and challenge the staff to make sure they hear and take into account what patients say when making any changes to services.

“Working with so many caring and dedicated people is great, from the ‘backroom staff’ to the doctors, nurses and other clinicians. I feel privileged to be part of the effort and consideration that goes into making decisions about how to provide quality health services for us all in Merton.

“My proudest moment has been setting up Merton CCG’s Patient Engagement Group. It has taken time to become established but we now have a great group of local people who come together to give their views, good and not so good, on the services provided. The value they bring is enormous.”