It is important that the PPG continues to develop and provide a means for patients to be represented within the Practice andits services and to have an influence on healthcare provision not only through the Practice but also in the wider NHS environment. Because PPG members naturally come and go, move away etc, we now need several new members from all age groups to join us.
If you would like to be part of this developing process, please be encouraged to take an interest and find out more about your PPG and perhaps come involved.
Further information and details on how to contact the PPG is available from Reception at Little Common or Old Town Surgery. If you have internet access and would like more information about how useful PPGs are and how you get help get involved please take a look at our facebook page: PPG Little Common & Old Town Surgery or click the PPG link within;
or
Senior Partner: Dr J Gonzalez
PPG Chair:John Curry
PPG email:
Areyouinterestedin finding out more about your GP Practice?
Wouldyou liketoinfluence the development of local health services?
If sopleasetakethistoreadatyourleisure.
YOURPATIENT
PARTICIPATION GROUP
AGUIDEFORTHEPATIENTSOF
LITTLECOMMONOLDTOWNSURGERIES
In common with many other NHS Practices, Old Town & Little Common Surgeries have an active Patient Participation Group (PPG) – in our case since 2011. A PPG contributes to the continuous improvement of services, fosters improved communication between Practice and patients, helps patients to take more responsibility for their health and provides practical support and help to implement change. It should be noted that the PPG cannot be involved in any confidential matters between doctor and patient.
Since 2011 meetings have been held at which many patients volunteered to be part of the PPG to represent both Surgeries. As a result the PPG was formally established with a Chairman, Secretary and ten other core members all of whom attend bi-monthly meetings to contribute to the functions of the PPG; other patients have volunteered to provide practical assistance and support when required but do not necessarily attend all the meetings.
During the five years since the PPG was formed we have met a number of very useful objectives following on from suggestions from members, such as:
- Replacement of the expensive 0844 telephone numbers
- Installation of an easy access door at Old Town Surgery
- Measures to reduce the problem of lack of confidentially in Receptions areas
All these and more were agreed and instigated by the PPG steering group, sometimes following surveys and questionnaires carried out at both sites. Some members of this group also attend wider meetings such as ‘Shaping Health Services’ and those arranged by the Clinical Commissioning group. At such meetings PPG members play an active part in discussions and on suggesting ways that, for example, help improve local NHS care in the community and ways of reducing hospital admissions or stays, by using a better joined-up care service called East Sussex Better Together.
WhatisaPatient Participation Group?
APPGisagroupofpatient volunteers from your Practice, whose aim, in partnership with Practice Staff is to:
- helppatients to take more responsibility for their own health
- foster improved communication between the Practice and its patient population
- contribute to the continuous improvement of services
- provide practical support to the Practice and help implement change
PPGs aregoodforpatients because patients will;
- be more responsible for their own health
- have a better understanding and knowledge of their Practice and its Staff
- be consulted about arrangements for their primary healthcare before decisions are made
- benefit from improved communications with Staff
- have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns
PPGsaregoodfortheCommunity because;
- Patients will have an organization 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