Joseph Bayumi 

Patient Representative 

I am a leading senior executive within the energy sector, and I now devote my time to being a patient representative. I spend most of my time advocating for patient environment standards and safety. My passion is mental health, as I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and this is my drive for quality improvement. 

I am trained to a gold standard, committed Trauma Informed Practice, I am also a member of the Mental Health First Aider Associatioin (MHFA England). This work has now led me to the Improvement Leader Fellowship. I am committed to playing a part in the development of quality improvement tools that will enable better patient engagement, service delivery and patient representation.

In 2021, I found myself in a dark hole thrown into turmoil as I entered Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL NHS FT) due to a serious crime, at home. I was shocked and confused about how a victim of a crime could be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. My encounter with staff was questionable. I was dismayed at the lack of compassion and empathy as I tried to raise and highlight the seriousness of what was happening. I was prescribed a high dosage of Quetiapine 800mg for over 2 years with no plan.

My passion for mental health and social care ignited my commitment and determination to help NHS staff and service users by sharing my lived experience. The atmosphere and environment that both staff and service users experience can play an important part in creating a culture of trust, empathy and compassion. These elements sometimes get missed, and an outside point of view provides the value of an expert by experience, which is so important. 

My vision and goals are to make patient representation a key part of all NHS Trusts and to make better environments for both staff and patients.