PPG – Patient Participation Group

Dear Patient,

You are invited to join our PPG (PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP) and have your say – everyone is welcome!

The PPG has two main objectives:

Representing Patients of the Pine Medical Centre 

Assisting and supporting the operation of Pine Medical Centre  

• We want patients to have their say about Pine Medical Centre. The Patient Participation Group is a way to gain the views of registered patients and ensure that they are involved in decisions about the range and quality of the services provided by the surgery.
• All patients are welcome, and we aim to gather patients from as broad a spectrum as possible to get a truly representative sample. We need young people, workers, young mothers, people with disabilities, people who are new to the UK, retirees, people with long term conditions and people from non-British ethnic groups.
• Patients who cannot join our meetings can alternatively join a ‘virtual’ group by giving us their email addresses. This will enable us to email them a (very occasional) survey, the minutes of our patient group meetings and any questionnaires about the surgery. This is designed for those who haven’t got time to meet, but who still want to give their views. We would only contact our virtual group on an occasional basis.

What is a Patient Participation Group (PPG)?

It is a group of volunteer patients and practice staff who engage and discuss the topics for discussion the patients would like them to be.

Patient participation is:

• Patients working with practices to improve services;
• Varied to suit local needs
• Based on cooperation

What is the aim of a PPG?

The aims of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) are as follows:

• To encourage a positive relationship between the patients and all of the surgery staff
• Represent a voice for the patient in the practice
• To be realistic about what you can achieve and to look for small changes that can make a real difference
• To work together constructively and positively to help identify solutions and to work in partnership with the practice and other local organisations
• Carry out research to find out what matters to patients and discussing the findings with the practice
• To encourage patients to engage in their own healthcare and future needs

The practice(s) will work with the PPG to develop an action plan for implementing changes.

How does having a PPG benefit the patients and the practice?

Good for patients

• Patients will take more responsibility for their own health
• Patients will have a clearer understanding and knowledge of the practice and staff
• Patients will benefit from improved communications with staff
• Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice their concerns

Good for practice staff

• Staff will be able to plan services jointly with patients and this should make services more effective.
• Staff will be able to help patients with non-medical and social care issues
• Staff will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives
• Staff will have a forum to voice concerns, ideas and suggestions to patients
• Staff will build stronger links with their community

For the surgery to be able to develop a PPG :  WE NEED YOU!

Our aim is to meet quarterly to discuss how the surgery could improve its services to patients and to give feedback on how patients perceive our surgery and staff.

• Planned dates for 25/26:
• 6th June 25
• 10th September 25
• 10th December 25
• 11th March 26

If you wish to join, please contact the practice or download the PPG Leaflet 22