What is a Patient Participation Group?

“We are Patients just like you...”

Did you know that over 50% of GP practices in England now have a Patient Participation Group (PPG)?

PPGs are Groups of active volunteer Patients that work in partnership with practice staff and GPs. This unique partnership between Patients and their medical practices is essential to achieving high quality and responsive care.

Groups meet face to face with practice staff at mutually agreed intervals. ‘Virtual PPGs’ now also exist operating alongside ‘real’ groups enabling a dialogue with the whole patient population through email, online surveys and social media.

PPGs work in a unique partnership with their practice built on mutual trust and respect to:

• Provide a Patient perspective to ensure that services, plans and activities respond to Patient needs and priorities - a ‘critical friend’.
• Foster communication with the wider Patient population building stronger Patient / Doctor relationships.
• Provide practical support to practice teams e.g. conducting and analysing Patient surveys, organising health awareness events etc.
• Help other Patients take more responsibility for their health and make informed decisions.

The current Ringmead PPG.

In January 2013 a number of Patients were invited to attend a meeting ,with GP’s and Practice Staff, to re-form the  Patient Participation Group (PPG) at the Ringmead Medical Practice.

The PPG meets regularly and publishes minutes of the meetings under the ‘Patient Group Members’ section of the Ringmead Medical Practice Website.

The aims of the PPG are:

• To encourage positive relationships between  Patients and Practice staff, both medical and administrative.
• To be realistic about what can be achieved and to look for small changes that can make a real difference.
• To work in partnership with the Practice to find solutions  to any issues that may arise with current services.
• To provide practical support to Practice teams e.g. conducting and analysing Patient surveys.
• To help other Patients take more responsibility for their health and make informed decisions by organising health awareness events.

Please note: the PPG is NOT a channel for complaints. There is a process in place at the Practice for dealing with Patient complaints.

The PPG is keen to hear from Patients who have ideas for enhancing the services or  are willing to give a little time to helping the PPG either as an active member, helping with the organising of events or simply providing feedback on current services or those [services] you would like to know more about.

Keeping in touch:

The PPG will endeavour to keep in touch with Patients of the Practice via email for those who have registered on the Practice Website and/or through use of the notice boards at both Practices.

PPG Ideas for the future include:

• Arranging Health Events – Details will be published on the Practice Website and displayed in the Practice waiting rooms.
• Publishing a quarterly Newsletter.
• Re-introducing ‘Forum’ discussion topics on the Practice website.
• Being a point of contact for Patients who would like to contribute ideas to the Practice.
• Collating useful information for Patients which will be kept on the Website and in Practice waiting rooms.

PPG contact details:

1. Via the Patient Group Member section of the Website
2. Complete the Contact/Feedback form located in the Practice waiting rooms.

Invitation to any adult Patient

Any adult patient is welcome to join the group.

The PPG is conscious that the membership should reflect all ages and we are particularly keen to encourage those Patients in the 18 to 30 age range.

If you are willing to become a member of the PPG, to be consulted occasionally about specific services or health issues pleae register now. You can register to the Online PRG or to the Face-to-face PPG.                  

To review previous minutes or contact the PPG members please visit the
Patient Participation Group Members page