Patient Participation Group

Patient participation is:

Patients working with a practice to:

• contribute to the continuous improvement of services;
• faster improved communication between the practice and its patients;
• help patients to take more responsiblity for their health; and
• provide practical support and help to implement change

Patient Participation Groups can:

• offer feedback on the patient perspective;
• help practices to make the most effective use of their resources;
• improve communication;
• help to promote good health;
• influence decisions about which services are provided; and
• offer practical support to the practice

Patient participation is not:

• a forum for complaints

What can a Patient Participation Group do?

PPGs are voluntary organisations, helping the practice to improve services

• Acting as a representative group that can be called on to influence the local provision of health and social care
• Providing feedback from patients, eg on appointment systems, consultation times and repeat prescription systems
• Monitoring the accessibility of practice communications
• Carrying out surveys into a whole variety of subjects, eg measuring patient satisfaction, health needs, awareness and expectations
• Helping to obtain the patient view
• Exploring the changing needs of patients

What are the benefits of a PPG?

Good for the community because:

• patients will have an organisation through which they can identify their own needs
• patients will be able to get an idea of what is needed to improve healthcare and make sure that the patient view is always represented

Good for patients because:

• patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff
• if appropriate, patients will be consulted about arrangements for their primary healthcare before decisions are made
• patients will benefit from improved communications with staff
• patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns

Good for practice staff because:

• 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

Join the Patient Group