The primary aim of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) is to improve the patient experience. It acts as an informal interface between patients and the practice professionals in order to increase information available to patients and provide feedback to the practice. The PPG does not, and will not, discuss individual patient issues but aims to provide a means to deal with common problems associated with receiving and providing care.
Who are the PPG?
Membership of the PPG is open to all registered patients, their carers (even if they are registered elsewhere), representing the ‘patient voice’ and practice staff. A small number of volunteers form a core committee with an elected chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and members. The practice will be represented by the partner manager and/or GP partner. The core committee gives their time to help the practice effectively communicate with, and gather information from, patients.
Purpose
The purpose of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) is to develop and strengthen a good working partnership between patients and Derwent Valley Medical Practice (the practice); to encourage developments and improvement in healthcare and facilities through feedback that matters to the diverse population for which it cares.
The activities of the PPG will be used to help meet the Care Quality Commission (CQC) key lines of enquiry relating to ‘the well lead’ domain.
The PPG is not a forum for individual patient heath issues or complaints. These are dealt with by the practice in accordance with standard procedures.
Principal aims of the PPG
The principal aims of the PPG are to:
- Work together with the practice to provide a range of ways for all patients to share their views about current and proposed services developments including giving feedback to the Practice on: patient experience, generic patient and carer needs, interests and concerns;
- Raise patient awareness of the range of services available at the practice and help patients access / use such services more effectively;
- Contribute to promotion of good health and well-being by arranging / supporting health awareness events.
View a full list of aims and PPG terms of reference (PDF).
Ways of working
The practice will normally refer to the PPG membership whenever they are considering changes that may impact the patient experience while in the care of the practice.
The PPG will help raise patient awareness of the range of services available at the practice and help patients access/use such services more effectively. Protocols (agreed with the practice) will be in place to enable the PPG to access practice patients in order to undertake surveys, etc.
Wherever possible, communication will be via email.
The PPG members will maintain a display in the PPG area of the practice waiting rooms with up-to-date information, including notice of future meetings, minutes of meetings, and information about the PPG.
PPG activities
The PPG undertakes, for example, surveys of patient experience and opinions regarding our appointments (PDF) system.
Meetings and membership
Meetings of the PPG are normally be held in the St Marks Road surgery conference room, by arrangement on an as required basis, or at least four times per year. Meetings are face-to-face and / or virtual at mutually agreed dates and times, based on the needs of the group. We are very keen to see the PPG grow in size and to ensure it represents all ages and backgrounds of our patients.
What does membership of the PPG involve?
Membership of the PPG is voluntary and currently has two levels:
- Be informed: Receive newsletters and updates about the Practice via email or the website PPG notice board.
- Be engaged: Receive the same information as ‘be informed’ and, in addition, be invited to:
- Participate in surveys or questionnaires.
- Help with PPG events.
An up-to-date list of current members will be held by the practice in accordance with the practice data protection policy. You can withdraw your membership of the PPG at any time. The practice will remove your details from the PPG register, and you will not receive any further information from the PPG.
The practice will confidentially inform all members by email of: agendas, minutes of meetings, newsletters/information.
Membership will cease when the member is no longer registered at the practice or they resign from the PPG. The practice reserves the right to turn down or remove a member, for example, if the applicant is known to have been abusive to a member of the practice staff/volunteers, or other healthcare professionals, or has breached confidentiality.
Join our Patient Participation Group
All registered patients are able to join our Patient Participation Group. People of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and those with health conditions and disabilities are encouraged to join.
Members should as far as possible, be representative of the surgery population.
To join:
- fill out a Patient Participation Group registration form