Thank you for your interest in our Patient Participation Group (PPG).
From 2011 our patients will be represented by this group. At Eastville Medical practice we strongly believe that the input of patients is key to improving our service. That is the reason why we are keen to start an active patient participation group, and we’d like to encourage your involvement.
Next Meeting: To be confirmed
“A Patient participation group, what does that mean?”
The main goal should be to promote the wellbeing of patients and support the practice to provide a high quality of care and service delivery. We aim to listen and adjust to our patients’ needs.
We are aiming to form a group of patient representatives from different age, gender and cultural or ethnic background who are motivated to
- meet up every 4 months with 2 members of our staff (usually a doctor and an admin team member).
- improve communication between patients and the practice.
- discuss patients’ needs in the development of the practice systems e.g. telephone systems and appointment systems.
- support the practice to achieve its health promotion goals.
- review and where appropriate provide advice and recommendations on the practice's patient surveys.
- ensure the needs and interests of all patient groups are taken into consideration - this includes people with specific illnesses or conditions, people with a disability, people from minority ethnic groups and migrant workers.
This is an opportunity to produce real change in your practice. The PPG will aim wherever possible to reach decision by consensus. Where this is not possible the view held by the majority of those present will be the view that is agreed upon and taken forward by the group.
“What will be discussed in the group?”
Ideally that would be decided by the group. Common themes could include
- the waiting room
- telephone and appointment system
- the new building
- availability of local services, e.g. counselling/physiotherapy
- development of self-help projects to meet the needs of fellow patients, such as befriending and bereavement support.
Two weeks before the meeting all members will be contacted to raise items to be placed on the agenda and the agenda will be posted on the website or sent to you if you prefer this.
The group is not involved in raising funds for the practice. It is also not a forum to discuss individual complaints.
“Why would I want to join?”
This is a great opportunity to make a real difference to what happens in your surgery and even to influence the wider NHS. Being part of our PPG will mean you will be consulted about arrangements in primary healthcare before decisions are made, and you will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns.
It will give you a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and the staff, and will improve communication between staff and patients.
Most importantly you will be able to make sure that the patient view is represented.
“How can I join this group?”
PPG membership is open to anyone who is registered with the surgery. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us using the tab above (marked 'Contact Us') or simply come along to our next meeting. First we will give you some further information about what we would like to realise with the group and then we will discuss your ideas for the development of the PPG. You will be able to present yourself to the other people and get to know each other. We will then agree on actions for the next meeting and there we go!
If you are unable to attend meetings at the Practice but you are still interested in contributing to the development of the Practice, in receiving Practice news and contributing suggestions about services or providing feedback on Practice initiatives, you now have the chance to join our e-mail Patient Participation Group. For more information, select the tab above marked 'E-mail PPG'.
If you are interested in this idea, please let us know your name and e-mail address using the 'Contact Us' tab above. We hope to start sending e-mails soon.
Please be assured that any views you express as a member of the PPG will have no effect on the medical treatment you receive.