A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of volunteer patients, carers and GP practice staff who meet regularly to discuss and support the running of their GP practice.
The aim of the Patient Participation Group is to give patients, GPs and practice staff an opportunity to exchange ideas and information and then to take action.
PPGs look at the services the practices offers, patient experience and how improvements can be made for the benefit of patients and the practice. Each PPG is different, but they all have the aim of making sure that the GP practice puts the patient, and improving health, at the heart of everything it does.
Benefits a Patient Participation Group
• Patients will be more responsible for their own health.
• Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff.
• Patients will be consulted about arrangements for their primary health care before decisions are made.
• Patients will benefit from improved communications between patients and staff.
• Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns.
• Jointly planned services are more effective and used more efficiently by patients.
• They will be able to help patients with non-medical issues such as loneliness, transport and health education.
• They will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives, such as surveys.
• They will have a forum to test ideas and suggestions to patients.
• They will get closer to the community for whom they care.
• All successful businesses listen to their customers.
• Patients will have an organisation through which they can help other patients in need.
• The patient view will always be represented in local health care.
• Improved communication will lead to more accountability for practice staff.
• Patients will have an opportunity to make links with other community initiatives, such as Healthy Living Centres and Sure Start Programme.
Joining a Patient Participation Group
A PPG is open to every patient on the GP practice list. People of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and those with health conditions and disabilities are encouraged to join. There are no membership requirements except that patients must be registered with the practice. PPG members should as far as possible, be representative of the practice population.
Members of a PPG are not there to talk about their own medical condition but to think about the practice as a whole and how it can improve service provision to all its clients.
At Enfield PPG Network, we are eager to ensure that our patients are actively involved in deciding how the health services we use should develop. To provide our patients with this opportunity to express their views, we have set up a virtual Patient Participation Group.
If you are interested in joining your local PPG, please contact your general practice. If you would like to know more about getting involved with the Enfield PPG Network, please email us at enquiries@enfieldppgnetwork.org.uk.