Join our Patient Participation Group (PPG)

What is the Patient Participation Group or PPG?

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of people who are patients of the surgery and want to help it work as well as it can for patients, doctors and staff. The NHS requires every practice to have a PPG.

Why should I join?

You have been to the surgery as a patient, parent, carer or friend.

Your experiences matter and you can bring different ideas to the surgery to help us treat patients better or to improve what we do in some way.

You will also gain a better understanding of the NHS, and gather feedback from other patients.

How often does the Patient Participation Group meet?

We meet, but not too often, led by a committee voted for by the patients. If you can’t make meetings then don’t worry – you can still be part of our virtual group.

Who manages the mailing list for the PPG? 

The mailing list will be held by the GP surgery and any emails sent so that individual’s emails are not shared with others.

What is a Network Patient Participation Group?

To help your Primary Care Network to benefit from the benefits of working closely with patients to improve and develop services, we have a PPG across our member practices which we call our Network PPG.

How can I join the Network PPG?

Currently the Network PPG is formed from the Chairs of the individual GP Surgery PPGs in our PCN as well as other patients. If you wish to join the Network PPG please sign up here.

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What is a virtual group?

A virtual group is a group of patients who would like to be part of the Patient Participation Group but prefer not to attend meetings. They get involved by email instead. Information such as practice newsletters, minutes of the Patient Participation Group meetings and surveys will be shared electronically. It means that if you can’t make face-to-face meetings, are caring for someone and unable to leave them, or are working, you can still be kept informed, give your views and participate.

Will my views be heard?

Your views are important and will be listened to. It may not be possible to act on every suggestion, but all feedback is very valuable. Working in a spirit of mutual respect, openness and trust, all patients’ views will be discussed and, where appropriate, we will work together on solutions. If you are interested in learning more about our Patient Participation Group, please contact the practice; alternatively, you can ask us about it when you next visit the practice.

Patient Participation Group Minutes

Our Practice/Primary Care Network Patient Charter

The Charter sets out patients‘ rights in the NHS and the standards of service they can expect to receive in areas addressing, among others, waiting times; information about services and treatment; and privacy and dignity of the patient.

Our commitment to you:

· Our aim is to provide a personal, friendly, professional and confidential service

· We will treat all patients equally with dignity and respect

· We aim to support patients in leading a healthier lifestyle and provide information so that an informed choice can be made

· We aim to keep patients informed of your services, their rights and any other information which directly affects health treatment

· We like to offer you your named GP, or GP of choice, where possible, for continuity of care

· We will listen to you and involve you in decision making regarding your treatment options

· We will offer access to our services in line with the patients’ assessed needs

· We will keep abreast of advancements by attending regular training sessions and updates

· We will monitor and improve our systems to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible within the resources available to us

· We operate a practice complaints procedure which may be used in confidence

· We welcome and consider all feedback from patients and make best use of our Patient Participation Group (PPG) when making decisions that affect our patients

Please help us to help you:

· Please keep appointments made or cancel in plenty of time so another patient may benefit from the appointment

· Only request a house call if too ill to attend the surgery

· Follow up on your test results a week after your test: should there be any serious abnormality you will be contacted by us promptly

· Follow up on a referral made if you have not heard back within the timescale advised

· Report to the receptionist or use the automated patient check-in on the wall facing the front entrance, on arrival for your appointment

· Bear with us if there is a delay – this is likely to be due to another patient needing additional time or an emergency: we will try to keep you informed of anticipated delays

· Use our service responsibly and do not expect immediate treatment for non-urgent/routine conditions

· Utilise the services of other professional surgery staff, the GP is not necessarily the most appropriate clinician to see

· Use other avenues of help: Pharmacy, NHS Choices, Patient Online where appropriate

· Allow sufficient time for processing repeat prescription requests and do not pressure staff to process unauthorised medication requests

· Keep us informed of any name, address and telephone number changes

· Treat us with respect, we will not tolerate verbal or physical abuse

Read more about the General Practice patient charter here: NHS England » You and your general practice – English