Patient Participation Group (PPG)
What is a Patient Participation Group (PPG)
A PPG is a group of patients, carers, and practice staff who meet regularly to discuss general matters arising from patient experience across the practice, such as service delivery and communications with patients, in order to help the practice continue to enhance its service.
A PPG enables patients to offer their views, experiences, suggestions and ideas to the practice through a strong and close working relationship between patients and the practice. The PPG can be a ‘sounding board’ for the practice when developing enhancements to its delivery and can also be an advocate for the practice where appropriate.
A PPG will only discuss general matters with the practice: a PPG is not a vehicle for individual complaints or personal medical issues.
The NHS expects practices to encourage volunteers to set up a PPG. Currently, 41% of GP practices have an established PPG: two Porter Valley practices have had Patient Forums for some years. The Greystones PPG first met in September 2024 and is now affiliated to the National Association of Patient Partnerships.
What are we trying to do?
Our Initial Objectives are to:
- Help the practice to develop its services by carrying out surveys to obtain patient views and providing the Practice Staff with feedback from patients.
- Provide information through patient newsletters and information leaflets and, working alongside the practice, aim to ensure patient information and advice is as accessible as possible.
- Act as representatives when patient voices are needed to develop the local or national provision of health and social care.
How do we work?
The Greystones Patient Participation Group [hereafter GPPG] is a voluntary group and all adult patients registered at the Greystones Medical Centre [hereafter GMC] are entitled to apply.
Membership takes two forms:
1) A face-to-face group of 14 patient members plus practice staff co-ordinates the work of the GPPG. At each meeting, group members offer their views, experiences, suggestions and ideas and discuss patient feedback directly with the Practice Management Team. The face-to-face group meets at the surgery every two months.
2) An e-group participates in the work of the GPPG by means of electronic communication via email through gmcppg2@gmail.com. The e-group Manager will raise suggestions & questions sent by members, anonymously, at each face-to-face meeting. Minutes from each face-to-face meeting are sent to all members of the e-group. There is no number limit for the e-group.
N.B. As a PPG can only discuss general matters with the practice, any individual complaint or medical issue received by the GPPG will, with the patient’s consent, be referred to the practice.
Who are we?
PPG Chairs – Andrew Sale & Phil May
12 Patient Members
Practice Representatives – Rebecca & Charlotte
What’s next?
- A Patient Newsletter, similar to this, to ensure all patients know about the PPG
- A ‘Total Triage at Greystones’ guidance leaflet for patients
- An early spring Patient Survey – obtaining your opinions
- A spring Patient Newsletter
All due in early 2025
Why not join us?
If you are interested in joining the Greystones PPG, either as a face-to-face member or through the e-group, please complete the Application and Data Consent Form.
Paper copies of the GPPG Application and Data Consent Form can be found at surgery reception at Greystones Medical Centre. Once completed, please return the signed form to reception.
An electronic copy of the GPPG Application and Data Consent Form can be downloaded below. Please forward the completed form, with signature, to gmcppg2@gmail.com
