As per our website name, we are “Keeping the NHS Honest”. We are a Constituted Campaign Group, advocating for improvements to the NHS, particularly focused on the need for a fully Independent NHS Complaints Service. Based on the lived-experiences of our membership – we know that such a change to the NHS way of investigating and handling complaints, would provide far-reaching benefits to staff, patients, their families – and even the taxpayer.
The Keeping The NHS Honest Campaign Group was founded on the back of an ever-growing Facebook Group “Campaign for Positive Change for a Better NHS”. This Facebook group was set up in April 2023, as a way to give the founder a focal point for their ideas and thoughts on improving the NHS in general. The focus was immediately directed towards the NHS Complaints process, and slowly members started to join. First reaching 10, then 30 members, and by the end of 2023, more than 100 members had joined up.
To provide a platform for sharing the wealth of information and ideas, a website (www.keepingthenhshonest.co.uk) was created in February 2024 and the foundations for “Keeping The NHS Honest (KTNH)” Group were formed. With the advent of the website, and word spreading, the Facebook Group continued to grow, and within a year membership of the Facebook Group increased to nearly 400.
With the increase in numbers, and awareness of the group and campaign grew, it was decided that a more formal structure for the Campaign was necessary. The best structure was agreed to be a Constituted Group, and this was formally ratified by the original 4 committee members in November 2024.
Membership
To ensure that we maintain the standards set within our Constitution, we welcome anyone wishing to join, to simply complete our brief online form, and pay their nominal annual subscription (currently just £1 per annum). Members receive regular Newsletters via email, and have to opportunity to sit in on any Committee meetings, and input into our campaign plans. All members are welcome to attend the AGM.
Governing Body
As per the Constitution, we are Governed by an 8-person committee. There are 4 Officiers in the form of Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership Secretary. These officers are supported by a further 4 Committee members. It is incumbent on the Committee to oversee the Campaign and ensure it is operated in accordance with the Constitution at all times. The Committee is reviewed on an annual basis.
Roles
The roles of the 4 Committee officers are as follows:
Decision making
All major decisions regarding the Campaign are taken by the managing Committee. Meetings are held on a regular basis, and upcoming events, campaigning ideas and any spending requirements are raised and discussed. In general, agreement in sought by all those present at the Committee meeting. (The Constitution defines the number of committee members required for a quorum, etc). Where a decision is not able to be made unanimously, then a vote is taken within the Committee.
Governance
The Committee and the operation of the Campaign are strictly governed by the Constitution. This document was produced, reviewed, amended and ratified by the necessary members, and signed into force in November 2024. The Constitution remains the central point of rule, until such time as the Group is either dissolved, or formal amendments are made – the process for which are all set out in the Constitution.
The “Keeping The NHS Honest” Group can be contacted through their website:
Contact form: https://www.keepingthenhshonest.co.uk/contact
or via email on: info@keepingthenhshonest.co.uk