Patient Participation Group
Whilst we strive to offer the best service possible to our patients, we believe that the only people who can really judge whether we’re doing a good job or not are the people who use our services!
We conduct annual surveys to obtain patient’s views, but to get a better feel of where we could improve, we need your input
Are you interested in finding out how to get involved in your practice?
We are expanding our Patient Participation Group and are looking for patients from all age groups, social and cultural backgrounds to join us. We would like to hear about what YOU think works well or not so well in our practice
If you would like more information about the group please speak to one of the receptionists or a member of staff or click here to complete the online form or email the surgery on lseccg.ppg.lcs@nhs.net
We will be in touch shortly after we receive your form. Please note that no medical information or questions will be responded to
The Aims of the Patient Participation Group
“To work with their practice to provide practical support, to help patients take more responsibility for their own health and to provide strategic input and advice. PPGs are based on cooperation between the practice staff and patients”
Purpose of a PPG
- To give practice staff and patients the opportunity to discuss topics of mutual interest in their practice
- A forum for patients and staff to improve and develop services within the practice by co-production
- To provide an opportunity for patients to make positive suggestions/ideas about the practice and specific medical conditions as an ‘expert’ or ‘experienced patient’
- To encourage health education activities within the practice
- To involve further patients from the wider population
- To involve patient participation in future commission of Health Provision
Benefits for the patient:
- Patients will be more responsible for their own health
- Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff. This allows up to date information to be given to patients and will inform what decisions can be influenced and what cannot. It will also allow the practice staff to gain an understanding from the patient’s perspective.
- Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns
- Patients will benefit from improved communications between patients and staff
Benefits for the practice:
- GPs and their staff will be able to plan services jointly with patients in order to increase their effectiveness
- They will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives
- They will have a forum to voice concerns, ideas and suggestions to patients
- They will get closer to the community for whom they care
Being Representative
A common criticism of many PPGs is that they are not representative of the practice population. It is always going to be difficult to get a group that exactly reflects the demographics of our practice, and volunteer roles tend to attract those that have a certain level of confidence and free time and have flexibility about working and earning money. However, a PPG is there to make sure that the patient voice is listened to and not necessarily always to be the voice itself. Therefore, if you wish to volunteer and join our PPG, please contact Jules Howard or complete one of the forms in reception or on line here.
Ground Rules
These are important as a point of reference for behaviour for when the group meets. We agreed that the group should not be a forum for pursuing individual personal complaints, that patient confidentiality is of the utmost importance and that everyone on the PPG should be treated fairly, equally and with respect.