We want to encourage patients to get involved in how their local GP surgery services are run and can be improved by joining a Patient Participation Group (PPG).
What are Patient Participation Groups?
Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) belong to GP practices and are made up of a group of patients, carers, voluntary and community services and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and patient experience to help improve the service.
PPGs aim to share experiences, discuss what is working well and explore what changes are needed to improve patients’ experiences.
They are vital in ensuring that patient voices are heard and play an increasingly important role in helping to give patients a say in the way services are delivered to best meet their needs, and the needs of the local community.
Becoming a member of your local patient participation group means you will be helping to support your local NHS services and community by being a critical friend to your practice and you will be:
- Helping them communicate to patients how recent changes to NHS will affect services provided.
- Advising the practice on the patient perspective.
- You may be involved in organising health promotion events.
- Help the practice decide on overall service priorities.
- You may help carry out research into views of service users and carers.
Northumberland has 38 member practices across the county, some with established PPGs delivering their own community health improvement initiatives such as book clubs, walking groups and knit and natter groups and asking patients and carers their views on using services through surveys and meetings. Groups work in different ways, some meet in person, others communicate with their practice online – all are keen to welcome and involve new members.
If you are interested in joining your local PPG, please contact your GP Practice Manager or email the CCG’s Communications and Engagement Team norccg.comms@nhs.net who will be able to advise you about your nearest PPG.