About the Patient Participation Group

 

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

 

The PPG has a dedicated email address. Should our patients wish to contact the team directly regarding Patient Participation Group issues, please email them via our secure online form.

Please, do not use this form for any medical correspondence or requests directed at the medical team

PPG Image

 

What is a PPG?

The PPG are a group of patients who meet, together with health professionals to ensure that patients are given a 'voice' within the GP practice. PPGs work with the practice to offer the patients’ perspective on the service it provides. A PPG is a route for patients to advise the practice on what matters most to them and to identify solutions to problems. Members of PPGs should think about the wider
patient interest and not just their own personal concerns when serving on the PPG.

 

What do PPGs Do?

The activities of Patient Participation Groups may vary because they develop and evolve to meet local needs of their Practice Population and may, for example, include either or all of the following:

  • Improving communication by assisting in the production newsletters or leaflets that provide patients with information about their health and how to access services
  • Together with members of the Practice Team and other significant NHS and/or Local Authority partners participate as appropriate in the organisation of health promotion events so that patients can have a really good understanding of their health and how best to look after it.
  • Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Practice, by helping it appreciate and understand what patients are thinking and are saying about issues, such as, opening hours, telephone systems, requests for home visits, delays in being taken for appointment, seeing their favourite GP, seeing their favourite Practice Nurse, repeat prescriptions and the range and type of services provided within the Practice.
  • Helping to fill some of the gaps in services by signposting patients to available support or providing services such as patient libraries, volunteer transport, befriending and support groups.
  • Fundraising to support the work of the PPG and to improve the care that is available to patients of the Practice.
  • Influencing the services that are provided, and where they are provided, by taking part in what are called commissioning decisions: this means that services can be developed in the way that is best for patients.
  • Undertaking appropriate survey or research to find out what matters to patients and discussing the findings with the Practice.