MUST READ FROM DAVID GILBERT IN THE UK

[Donna Thomson]

Hi Everyone,

This was on Twitter today - Wow. It's a really, really compelling piece. Have a read.

https://futurepatientblog.com/2017/09/14/patient-leaders-what-does-that-mean/

[Carolyn Canfield]

Hi Donna,

David is a treasure, perhaps the most insightful and articulate patient leader on the planet. I met him in 2011 through the Patient Voices Network in BC. They had the amazing courage to organize an annual gathering of volunteers, and brought David in as speaker, his only trip to Canada [we need to bring him back!!].

What a revelation! A dedicated meeting for dozens of patient activists, all networking in one room was pretty amazing. But David truly galvanized most everyone who attended. He validated what we did and how we dreamed of contributing real value to the healthcare system as we had encountered it.

David and I have now met on a number of occasions in London, when my patient activism has taken me there. He has been doing this sort of work for nearly 30 years in NHS England, starting out with mental health collaborations, but including policy, training and most recently true system transformation in Sussex musculoskeletal services (Brighton). His humility, understanding, generosity and respect for the lived experience of patients and clinicians truly shine.

PAN members will find much of interest in years of blog entries at futurepatientblog.com He knows many Canadian patient leaders through his twitter accounts @DavidGilbert43 and @DGPoet. David struggles with the stress of social media and is presently tweeting less about patient leadership and focussing on writing more poetry.

Thanks, Donna, for bringing David to PAN's attention. Everyone should read this blog as foundational for our work: Patient's Dozen.

Best wishes to all,
Carolyn